Striking dons to hold rally

August 19, 2012, 9:56 pm, The Island by Dasun Edirisinghe

Striking university teachers are planning to hold a public rally this week as part of their campaign to pressure the government to grant their demands

President of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri told The Island that the strikers would hold the public rally on August 23 at the Hyde Park with the participation of public sector trade unions.

"We have invited all public sector trade unions to join us," the FUTAchief said, adding that all of them would proceed in processions from three places in the city and converge on the Hyde Park.

Protest marches would commence from the Viharamahadevi Park, Slave Island and the Gamini Hall junction, Dr. Devasiri said.

University teachers launched an all out strike from July 04 demanding that 6 per cent of the GDP be allocated for education, they be consulted when decisions are taken on the higher education sector and their salaries be increased.

Discussions the FUTAhad with the Higher Education Ministry, the National Salaries and Cadre Commission, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on their demands during last three months have failed.