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University teachers to stage protest opposite UGC today
University teachers are scheduled to stage a protest opposite the University Grants Commission at Ward Place, Colombo, today (25) against what the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) calls the government’s irrational policy on education and unfair taxation.
FUTA General Secretary Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon said that the university teachers also opposed the government’s inability to resolve the current crisis in the country’s education sector. A Joint alliance between academic and non-academic university communities to strengthen the fight against the threats on the state university system had been formed and that would further strengthen their struggle, Dr. Samarakoon said.
The alliance is in the process of considering joint-union actions to safeguard universities.
“The neglect of the university system will have dire consequences for the ordinary citizens of this country and our joint effort will be particularly to protect the right to higher education of the ordinary people of this country. We as FUTA are determined to fight the unjust education policy of the government,” Dr Samarakoon said.
Dr Samarakoon has said in a media statement: “This protest will be attended by academics from 17 universities and around 46 trade unions of academics. In addition, the leaders of around 26 non-academic and executive unions of the universities will attend to declare their support for this protest. The objectives of the protest are to (a) express the deep and growing displeasure among the academics and university community of the negligence of the state universities by the government, and its covert operation to make them self-financing institutions depriving poor students the opportunity of obtaining free education, (b) to demand that government must reverse its unfair taxation and introduce a tax fair system to catch those tax evaders, and to force the government to withdraw its proposal to cut superannuation funds and impose a heavy interest on it, which will, by and large, deprive workers much of their retirement funds.
“FUTA has shown very clearly that, today, the universities have to operate amidst a severe crisis of funding and human resources. On the one hand, there is a huge brain drain and, on the other, the government policy does not allow for recruiting permanent staff. Since 2017 the government has not provided academic cadres for the universities and despite the increase in student intake from 30,000 to 45,000 the number of academic staff has remained the same and has kept dwindling fast due to retirements and brain drain. Today, the academic staff requirement for all seven universities remains more than 15000, but the existing number is less than 6500. The academics who are in the system are overburdened and the students have to face the injustice very often due to the huge gap in the student-teacher ratio.
“At the same time, the government policy of restructuring universities has threatened the existence of a free education system. It is understandable that the government is going to introduce a self-financing system and will wash its hands of the responsibility of providing free higher education in the near future. We as FUTA and the joint front of non-academic unions are determined to fight for the protection of state universities and invite the public to join the struggle as the government has no mercy on poor people, and, if we do not increase the intensity of the struggle, it will easily deprive the country of its free higher education system very soon.”
The newly appointed Cabinet Committee tasked with ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of Sri Lanka’s public service held its inaugural meeting on Thursday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya.
The Committee convened to discuss strategies to maintain seamless government operations in the face of potential disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East, with particular focus on energy resource management.
According to officials, the discussions emphasised sustaining essential government services, ensuring continued service delivery to the public, and addressing the operational challenges faced by public sector employees during the current circumstances. The Committee also examined measures to mitigate any disruptions that could affect day-to-day administrative and service functions across ministries and departments.
Key attendees at the meeting included the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government A. H. M. M. H. Abayaratne; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the
Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi; and senior secretaries from key ministries including Health and Mass Media, Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Energy, and Digital Economy.
Representatives from state institutions such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation were also present, highlighting the government’s focus on energy security as a central priority. The Committee’s deliberations underscored a coordinated approach to balancing uninterrupted public service delivery with effective management of limited energy resources amid the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Observers note that the formation of this Cabinet Committee reflects the government’s proactive stance in safeguarding national administrative functions and ensuring that critical public services remain resilient during times of external pressures.The Committee is expected to meet regularly to monitor developments, evaluate emerging risks, and implement practical measures to maintain operational continuity across the public sector.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Friday lashed out at President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament, accusing him of failing to uphold international law during wartime.
Premadasa said the President’s claim of neutrality ignored breaches of the UN Charter—including Articles 2.4 and 2.7—and other global conventions. “A neutral stance requires openly acknowledging violations,” he argued, criticizing the absence of ethical mechanisms to safeguard international law.
He also questioned the President’s handling of maritime issues, particularly whether Sri Lanka had been informed of the alleged attack on the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena, stressing that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) permits only peaceful activity.
On the economic front, Premadasa condemned the government for missing a chance to buy Russian oil during a 30-day U.S. sanctions suspension.
He said attempts to advise the Foreign Ministry, including a meeting with the Russian Ambassador, yielded no progress.
Premadasa further ridiculed the government’s earlier dismissal of the QR code fuel system, noting that officials are now adapting to it.
Turning to broader economic concerns, he called for immediate negotiations with the IMF to secure a new agreement, warning that the current primary balance of 2.3 is unsustainable. He stressed the urgent need for a poverty-reduction program, highlighting that one-third of Sri Lankans live in poverty.
He also demanded that surplus Treasury funds be used to support relief packages, arguing billions in reserves could aid households struggling with income shortfalls.Concluding his address, Premadasa criticized the government for failing to prepare for foreseeable crises, leaving the country vulnerable.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando, his two sons, and three others were remanded by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday (20) until April 2, the court confirmed.
The suspects, including Fernando’s elder son Johan, younger son Jerome, and a former transport manager of Lanka Sathosa, are under investigation by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).
Authorities allege the Lanka Sathosa lorry was misused for operations linked to an ethanol company reportedly owned by Fernando, causing an estimated Rs. 2.5 million loss to the state.
Trump says US will ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants if Strait of Hormuz not open before 48-hour deadline
Showers may occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya district after 1.00 pm.
PM Harini leads panel to protect public services
Sajith slams President over war conduct and economic missteps
Johnston Fernando, sons held in Lanka Sathosa lorry misuse case
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