Striking dons to march from Galle to Colombo

Seeking immediate solution for FUTA demands

September 20, 2012, 10:38 pm 

by Dasun Edirisinghe, The Island

Striking university teachers will launch a four-day protest march from Galle to Colombo on Monday (24) seeking to force the government to give in to their demands.

President of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri told The Island that politicians from Opposition parties, trade unionists, intellectuals, university students would join the striking teachers from all universities in the protest march.

He said that after discussions with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa last Friday, the government had yet to fix a date for the next round of talks.

"Now, the government is ignoring us, but we will not give up until our demands are met," Dr. Dewasiri said. "Our struggle is not for personal gains, but to protect the free education system."

The FUTA held a protest march from the Peradeniya University to Galaha junction yesterday and it was followed by a rally.