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Teachers, principals to launch strike on 12 Dec.

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TU affiliated with govt. among protesting associations

The education sector is bracing for major disruption as teachers and principals have decided to launch a countrywide strike on 12 December in protest against the government’s educational reforms, scheduled to take effect in January 2026. The agitation has brought together nearly all education sector trade unions, including the Ceylon Teachers Service Union (CTSU), affiliated to the NPP government, in a rare show of unified resistance.

Union leaders held separate press conferences in Colombo and Kalutara yesterday, warning that the reforms, particularly the proposed extension of school hours to 2.00 pm. They said the reforms were being pushed through without stakeholder consultations.

Kalutara District United Teachers’ Union Secretary Tharindu Dilshan said teachers had supported the NPP in the 2024 elections, expecting longstanding issues in the education sector to be resolved. “Instead, the government is introducing reforms completely against our wishes. No teacher/principal was consulted,” he said, warning that unions were “determined to defeat” the move.

Ceylon Teacher Union (CTU) President Priyantha Fernando said that parents, students and teachers opposed the changes.

“We voted expecting the salary anomalies to be fixed. Instead, we got reforms nobody asked for,” he said, adding that all unions would join the 12 Dec., strike.

CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin accused the government of reneging on election promises.

He noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had recently told Parliament that teachers’ salary issues would not be resolved until 2027. “This is the exact opposite of what was promised. Even the CTSU, which has fought for teachers’ rights for decades, is now with us against this injustice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Education Professionals’ Association President Ven Ulapane Sumangala Thera said that multiple trade unions would participate in the strike, warning that an indefinite strike would follow if the government refused to withdraw the reforms. He said circulars had already been issued despite widespread opposition even from unions normally supportive of the administration.

Education Ministry officials were not immediately available for comment.

By Saman Indrajith



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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

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The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.

Accordingly,

LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district,  Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.

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INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit

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The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.

On departure  the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.

The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A

dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.

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Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21

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A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.

This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday  (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.

Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.

It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.

The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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