Lecturers to press for salary structure and special category status for dons

By Mirudhula Thambiah, SundayTimes

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A fresh round of talks centred on unresolved university teacher-lecturer issues will be tabled by members of the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) when they meet the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Sunil Jayaratne tomorrow. Top of the agenda is the salary revision scheme discussed with Treasury secretary Dr. P. B Jayasundara.

“The government says a scheme is to be introduced, but we have received no details,” FUTA Secretary Dr. Terrance Madujith told the Sunday Times. “It is imperative to have a salary structure.”

Also high on the agenda is the demand to give university dons a special ranking. “We want minimal political interference in university affairs, but that too has not been guaranteed,” he added.

These two preconditions must be met if trade union action is to be suspended, Dr. Madujith said. “The government has responded to some of our demands and we have withdrawn six out of eight of our circulars. Salaries of all university lecturers who took part in the trade union action have been paid,” he said.Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayaratne said tomorrow’s meeting is the regular once-in-three-months meeting university lecturers have with the Ministry to discuss university matters.