Lecturers' token strike a success - FUTA President

Dinesh DE ALWIS

Federations of University Teachers Association (FUTA) President Prof Sampath Amaratunga briefing the media on the token strike at the Colombo University yesterday said it was a success with 4,000 University lecturers from all the universities supported the strike.

"We will give the Government, time till August 10 and if the Government fails to increase university lecturers' allowances from 25 percent to 50 percent, we will resign from our positions," he said.

"Our demands are fair. Higher Education Minister SB Dissanayake also raised this issue in Parliament, but was unable to issue a circular. In 1993, there was a token strike by lecturers demanding a salary hike. After that, we never asked for a salary hike," he said.

"If the Government wants to develop Sri Lanka as Asia's Knowledge Hub, we should be paid proper salaries," he said.

He further said if the Government does not have money, tell us. We like to sacrifice our salary. We should develop the country's education system. We should minimize the brain drain.

He said they came to know that the University Grants Commission Chairman has sent a Circular treating yesterday as a day of leave and if leave is not available to cut a day's salary.

"Instead of increasing the salary, he is reducing our salary. He is also responsible for this. We vehemently oppose this type of action," Colombo University Lecturer Dr Nirmal Ranjith said.

Secretary Dr Rohan Fernando, Vice President Dr SRD Rosa, Dr Mahim Mendis and several other lecturers representing FUTA were present.