FUTA threaten strikes and resignations
Govt requests more time to meet demands
BY Ruwan Laknath Jayakody
July 14, 2014
The Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) yesterday warned strikes and resignations from key posts in the academia would be imminent if the government does not meet their six primary demands within the next three months.
Vice-President of FUTA, Ven. Dambara Amila Thera said while the meeting of certain demands required only two weeks, the government had requested more time to appointment a Special Presidential Commission to monitor higher education reforms, to assure the independence of the universities and also to establish a special committee on university lecturers.
The other demands include, the complete retraction of all conditions placed on research allowances, basic salaries being increased by an amount similar to the research allowance and bringing a total halt to the privatization of education.
Former President of FUTA, Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, said a public awareness campaign, organized through the university chapters of the FUTA, would discuss broader issues in the education sector based on their six main demands.
"We have instructed our sister unions, attached to the Universities of Ruhuna, Sabaragamuwa, Peradeniya and Rajarata to organize meetings in Matara, Ratnapura, Kandy and Anuradhapura respectively, at which the FUTA will speak," Amila Thera said.
Govt requests more time to meet demands
BY Ruwan Laknath Jayakody
July 14, 2014The Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) yesterday warned strikes and resignations from key posts in the academia would be imminent if the government does not meet their six primary demands within the next three months.
Vice-President of FUTA, Ven. Dambara Amila Thera said while the meeting of certain demands required only two weeks, the government had requested more time to appointment a Special Presidential Commission to monitor higher education reforms, to assure the independence of the universities and also to establish a special committee on university lecturers.
The other demands include, the complete retraction of all conditions placed on research allowances, basic salaries being increased by an amount similar to the research allowance and bringing a total halt to the privatization of education.
Former President of FUTA, Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, said a public awareness campaign, organized through the university chapters of the FUTA, would discuss broader issues in the education sector based on their six main demands.
"We have instructed our sister unions, attached to the Universities of Ruhuna, Sabaragamuwa, Peradeniya and Rajarata to organize meetings in Matara, Ratnapura, Kandy and Anuradhapura respectively, at which the FUTA will speak," Amila Thera said.
