Teachers and principals stick to their guns

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The government had to rectify the salary anomalies affecting principals and teachers before reopening schools on 21 October, principals and teachers trade unions said yesterday.

The government had not held any discussions with the unions on solving their long-standing salary issues, they claimed.

Parakrama Weerasinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka National Principals Association said that they did not want to extend their trade union action and that the government could easily resolve the crisis.

“They are trying to show that addressing our salary anomaly is a very expensive affair. However, this is not the case. Solving our salary issue is not difficult. The government just has to talk to us,” he said.

Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) head Joseph Stalin said that the unions were only asking the government to give the increment, recommended by a ministerial committee, in one go, instead of four steps.

This has been our stance. However, instead of talking to us they are trying to compel us to come to work by reopening schools. The ball is in the government’s court, they have time till 21 October to resolve our issues. If not, we will take a decision,” he said.

Chief Incumbent of the Abhayarama Temple Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera yesterday urged the unions to help the government reopen schools. The Thera added that the demands of the unions were just and that he fully supported them.

“We recently held a meeting with almost all political parties. They all pledged their support to the teachers’ demands. I am willing to be a mediator in solving this issue. So, please, let’s work together to open schools.  Don’t think of this as a loss or a retreat,” the Thera pleaded.