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,