PB to sign letter ending FUTA strike today

October 8, 2012, 10:43 pm , The Island

by Dasun Edirisinghe

An end to the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) strike is in sight with Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera set to sign a letter announcing a pay hike for striking dons.

This was confirmed at yesterday’s discussion between Dr. Jayasundera and striking university teachers.

FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri told The Island that Dr. Jayasundera, Secretary to the Higher Education Ministry Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne, officials from the University Grants Commission, National Salaries and Cadre Commission and FUTA representatives had participated in the discussion held at the Finance Ministry.

"Dr. Jayasundera will sign the letter explaining their short term solution to our salary issue today," theFUTAchief said, adding that they had asked Dr. Jayasundera to show them a draft before signing it.

The senior academic said that they would get back to their membership with the letter and outcome of the discussion with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The membership would then decide whether to continue with the strike or not.

He said that they had not discussed their demand that the government allocate 6 per cent of the GDP for education and that would be a government policy decision.

"However, we will go with the Cabinet note, jointly submitted by Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake, which was passed by the Cabinet of ministers," Dr. Dewasiri said.

He said that according to the Cabinet note, the highest percentage of the GDP. according to international standards, would be allocated to education.

FUTA launched its strike on July 04. Their main demands are allocation of 6 per cent of the GDP for education, consulting university teachers when decisions are taken on the higher education sector and a pay hike.