News
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.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
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