Education unions to stay away from strike

Mohammed Naalir

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Independent Teachers’ Association General Secretary Nissanka Fernando yesterday said that the education sector trade unions have decided to refrain from taking part in the proposed JVP, UNP led strike on July 10.

He said without any reasonable grounds the UNP, JVP trade unions have called for a strike at a time the political parties must join hands with the President to eradicate terrorism and develop the country.

Except for political advantage there is nothing in the proposed strike, he added.

Fernando was speaking a media briefing at the National Library and Documentation Centre. He said they have asked the teachers in the education trade unions to report for duty on July 10 considering the country’s future.

Fernando said that there are nearly 23 teacher trade unions and their unanimous decision was to assist the Government to defeat the strike.

He said that JVP while undergoing severe a internal crisis is attempting to convert the minds of the people through the proposed strike and to hide up their internal disputes. This is a personal political advantage based strike.

Several JVP Parliamentarians and members have left the party so far. At a time they are facing such an issue within the party their aim is nothing except political advantage.

In addition Fernando stated that the JVP is demanding to reduce the number of Ministers in the Parliament but an excess number of Ministers were in Parliament during PA-JVP regime.

He said that due to the good governance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa a considerable change occurred in the country within a short period. As a result of the talks with President the teachers were entitled to many privileges and he directed the authorities to take immediate steps to solve the problems of the teachers.

“As teachers we will never go for a strike. The Government is developing infrastructure facilities while the war against terrorism is taking place. We must assist it. This is not a suitable time for strikes,” Fernando added. Representatives from various education trade Unions were present at the media briefing.