FUTA strike: Who needs enemies with friends like this?

October 7, 2012, 8:47 pm , The Island


It is with bemusement that I watched those university teachers who opposed FUTA action, put forward through TV discussions their utterly unconvincing theories against the strike and, accused FUTA president of trying to topple the government.

And on the very eve of some possible solution to the issue, we have Prof. Nalin Silva’s but vituperative ultimatum to the Government that if the University Dons get a salary increase, he will oppose the government. This is quite irrational. Does he want a settlement to the issue or is he evening out scores?

It would be interesting to note in the future whether those academics opposed to the strike would deny themselves the salary hike, if such a hike were to be given. I strongly believe they should, if they have any integrity. Some said they get an excessive amount even now. Perhaps, they could donate the increase to some students who do not have financial means to obtain his/her education in this country. Or they can donate it back to the Treasury.

Actually, the academic sycophants helped build further the public image for FUTA and I was most impressed by the decorum maintained by FUTA president in the face of some ludicrous accusations, the topmost being that he is trying to topple the government! The FUTA President, Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, simply could not have got his PhD if he had been so foolish to over-estimate his power and underestimate the FUTA members, who are none other than highly trained and intelligent university academics.

The fiasco staged by the few anti-strike academics should give one clear message to President Mahinda Rajapaksa:"Do not heed sycophants." Ultimately, it is the President’s image that gets tarnished.

Champa Fernando

Kandy