No solution yet for Sri Lanka university teachers union demands 
Tue, Jul 3, 2012, 10:02 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

July 03, Colombo: The Chairman of Sri Lanka's Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri says the University Grants Commission (UGC) has admitted that the demands of the university teachers are fair and the steps have not been taken to grant solutions to them.
The FUTA chairman said that this was revealed on July 02 at a discussion between the UGC and FUTA held in the Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations under the patronage of Minister Gamini Lokuge.
The discussion was held ahead of the strike of the university academic staff scheduled to be started from July 04.
Another discussion is scheduled for today between the Ministry of Higher Education and the FUTA.
The FUTA demands the freeing of universities from political influence and allocating 6 percent of the GDP for education.

* Sri Lanka university teachers' union discusses problems with the President
Mon, Jul 2, 2012, 12:59 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

July 02, Kandy: The academic members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party University Teachers' Union (SLFPUTU) met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa Sunday at the President's House in Kandy to discuss the problems they are currently facing.
The academics made a request from the President to grant them a meeting with him to discuss their problems and issues.


Accordingly the President has set up a meeting for the university academics on July 03 under the patronage of Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga.
During the meeting the University teachers also discussed the development of physical resources in the universities, Human resource development, scholarship programs and curriculum reforms.
Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayaka also participated at the meeting held yesterday.
(Photos by Sudath Silva)

Govt. in crisis talks with FUTA

University dons determined to launch strike tomorrow, if discussion fails

July 2, 2012, 9:16 pm 

by Dasun Edirisinghe,the island

A crucial discussion between the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) and government would be held today at the Presidential Secretariat to avert a strike schedule to commence tomorrow (04). The meeting will be chaired by Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga.

Secretary to the Higher Education Ministry Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne told The Island that Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake and other relevant officials would attend the discussion.

President of the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri said that there was no change in their decision to launch the strike tomorrow.

"If the government fails to provide an acceptable solution to our problems at the meeting, we will launch the strike tomorrow," he said.

The FUTA demands, among other things, a pay hike, allocation of at least 6% of the GDP for education and the engagement of university teachers in the process of making vital decisions on universities,