Teachers, principals willing to resume work

… for the sake of children

by Rathindra Kuruwita

Trade unions of teachers and principals had decided to report for work on 25 October, Ven. Yalwela Pagnanasekera Thera, Chairman of All Ceylon United Teachers Association (ACUTA) said. The Thera said that the decision had been taken after considering the plight of children, but the unions would continue to pressure the government to grant their demands.

However, the Thera said that certain elements were trying to forcibly end the union action of principals and teachers without addressing their grievances. “They are directly and indirectly intimidating teachers. Some District and Divisional Secretaries say the recently recruited graduates will be appointed as teachers. Some officials at the Zonal Education Offices too are trying to force teachers to report for work. SLPP politicians are issuing threats but they cannot intimidate us.”

Meanwhile, Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU), General Secretary, Joseph Stalin said that if politicians affiliated to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) continued to threaten striking teachers, the unions would be compelled to teach the government a lesson.

Stalin said so in response to controversial statements Minister S.M. Chandrasena and MP Janaka Tissakuttiarachchi made on Saturday.