Unfair for lecturers to demand salary increments - SB

Nethali STRUYS

Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake yesterday pointed out that it is unfair for university lecturers to create a big issue demanding salary increments while they have already received a 36.25 percent increment while all other public servants received only a five percent increment.

Addressing a press conference at the University Grants Commission board room yesterday, the Minister said, the 36.25 percent includes five percent of salary increment, 6.25 percent as study facilitation and 25 percent for research. Dissanayake said that no other public sector servants who have a much lower income, demand an increment.

"Salaries need to be revised, there is no doubt about it. But not at this juncture. University lecturers are an educated crowd. If all other unions can understand that the country is in a critical position why can't the lecturers? With the ongoing development on one side and international elements trying to tear down the country on the other side, the country is going through a difficult period," he said.

The minister said that the ministry has given permission to universities to create their own income by way of new research, inventions, private lectures and workshops. He said that the ongoing development in the university environment will create a good turnover in the near future.