Over 200 workers staged a protest outside Sumithra Group's Hasalaka factory, a month after factory management was accused of assaulting union members on Feb 9. The workers staged this protest as in a "belated women's day of unity". Factory management's negotiations with the union have been stalled.

The factory management denied the charge of a physical assault on workers. 

In a letter in response to these allegations to IndustriALL, the company noted: “It is stressed that the acts of intimidation, aggression, incitement and violence were initiated by a handful of union employees who physically obstructed the staff buses from entering the company gate. Though they were requested to do so, they did not step aside and instead engaged in an altercation with one executive,” the company stated, stressing the “zero tolerance policy for violence of any kind.”

Sumithra reportedly supplies to Asda, Dillard's and Superdry brands; Superdry commented “We are aware of the current issue at the Hasalaka factory in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and are working closely with everyone involved to resolve the situation as swiftly as possible" to Just Style.