News
Be more conciliatory in addressing grievances: FUTA
The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) Friday called upon the government to respect the democratic rights of various stakeholders in the university system and to adopt a more conciliatory approach to addressing grievances.
Issuing a statement signed by its general secretary Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon to condemn the police attacks on a protest march organized by university non-academic staff members on Thursday (18) near the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, FUTA reminded the government that the right to protest is a fundamental right well recognized by the constitution of Sri Lanka.
Full text of the statement:
“The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) is deeply concerned about the attack the police carried out against the protest march organized by university’s non-academic staff members on Jan.18. During the protest march held near the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, the police fired tear gas at protesting non-academic employees, forcing the protesters to disperse. This was done amidst the one-day token strike declared by non-academic staff members demanding an increase in their allowances.
“Non-academic staff members are an inseparable part of the university system, and the government has a responsibility to consider their grievances. Instead of conciliation, the use of force to suppress their demands risks creating an unstable situation at universities. At a time of unprecedented economic burden, it is needless to remind that all academic and non-academic staff perform a commendable task in keeping our universities functioning. In such a situation, the FUTA considers it unacceptable to use force against such employees who are raising their concerns and grievances.
“FUTA would like to remind the government that the right to protest is a fundamental right, well recognized by the constitution of Sri Lanka. Regardless of this protection, in the recent past, we have seen an alarming tendency where the state uses force to disperse peaceful demonstrations that do not cause any disturbance to public peace.
“FUTA was prevented from conducting a street demonstration in March 2022, against which we have filed a Fundamental Rights application. Furthermore, in many instances, students’ demonstrations were dispersed with the use of force. It is disappointing to see that the same repressive measures are applied against non-academic employees.
“While condemning this act in the strongest terms, FUTA calls upon the government to respect the democratic rights of various stakeholders in the university system and to adopt a more conciliatory approach to addressing grievances.”
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) relating to the project to provide technological solutions to prevent wild elephants from being hit by trains was signed yesterday (01) afternoon at the President’s Media Centre, under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Coordinated through the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, the project is being implemented as a public-private partnership, with the Railway Department, the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Forest Conservation Department working together, with full financial support from People’s Bank.
The system consists of three-beam detection, passive infrared (PIR) sensors, automatic temperature sensors and a tamper alarm system to detect animals weighing more than 20 kilogrammes and unauthorised interference. Signal lights (red/yellow/green) installed on either side of the railway tracks, together with a special screen installed inside the locomotive cab, will alert the driver in advance to the exact location of an elephant.
A demonstration test of the system was successfully conducted at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage premises in the presence of the relevant officials, following which a report on the system was prepared.
The system will be implemented as a pilot project from next month at 13 locations where wild elephant accidents are frequent. A newly developed website is also scheduled to be launched to enable the progress of the project to be viewed live.
Additional General Manager of Railways P.D.S.B. Chandrasena, Director General of Wildlife Conservation M.S.L.R.P. Marasinghe, Conservator General of Forests S.C. Palamakuumbura and Chairman of People’s Bank Chandana Guniyangoda signed the relevant MoU. Officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, including Presidential Additional Secretary (Clean Sri Lanka) Engineer S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, as well as senior officials from the Railway Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Forest Conservation Department and People’s Bank, were also present.
[President’s Media Division]
The Commissioner General of Examinations has announced that the results of the 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination have been released online, and can be viewed on the department’s official website: www.doenets.lk
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed Sri Lanka on Monday, 31 August, to undertake an official visit to Bhutan to participate in the Global Conscious Food Systems Summit, scheduled to be held in Bhutan.
During her visit, Prime Minister Dr Amarasuriya participated in the opening plenary of the Summit on 1 September, where she delivered a keynote address under the theme “Rising to the Moment: Igniting Consciousness to Address the Polycrisis.”
The Prime Minister will also engage in discussions with international leaders and representatives on strengthening cooperation towards sustainable food systems, food security and resilient communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
MoU signed for technology to prevent wild elephant-train collisions
Grade 5 scholarship exam results released
Prime Minister participates in Global Conscious Food Systems Summit in Bhutan
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