News
SJB slams FUTA as govt. warns of extremist hand in ongoing strike
MP Kaviratne alleges striking Uni lectures serving private institutions
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Education Minister Susil Premjayantha has alleged that extremist elements are seeking to exploit the student community by delaying the evaluation of the answer scripts of the 2022 GCE A/L examination.
Referring to a State Intelligence report, Minister Premjayantha urged the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) to give up strike.
The Minister said that the answer evaluation process couldn’t begin without the participation of FUTA members.
The Minister said so yesterday (18) after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) at the Bureau office, in Battaramulla,
The Education Minister issued the warning in the wake of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) condemning FUTA for demanding special tax concessions, though the grouping’s right to oppose the new tax formula couldn’t be challenged. Issuing a hard-hitting statement, on behalf of the SJB, Matale District MP Rohini Kaviratne asked how FUTA could take the student community hostage.
The former UNP MP found fault with the government for failing to make an efficient intervention in this regard.
Kaviratne asked how FUTA could demand its members be given tax exceptions. She alleged some of those who had resorted to trade union action, in State Universities, three months back had jeopardised the future of 1.2 mn students while teaching in private institutions.
It has been reported that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne has been found dead at his residence in Athurugiriya this morning (17)
it is suspected that he may have taken his own life.
A heated argument broke out between Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (16).
A video footage of the incident shows the MP and the Minister engaging in a heated verbal exchange, following which a physical confrontation appeared to develop when the Minister attempted to grab files reportedly in the possession of MP Ramanathan.
“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll lay a hand on you too… got it?” Ramanathan is heard telling the Minister during the exchange.
Police and officials present at the meeting intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal in connection with a petition filed by former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The Cardinal has sought permission from the court to make submissions in relation to Sallay’s petition and requested that it be dismissed.
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