Sri Lanka closes schools ahead of possible strike by teachers

By David Sabapathy – TNS

COLOMBO - Teachers in Sri Lanka expected to launch a two-day sick note campaign from Wednesday June 11, urging the government to implement an upward revision of their salary scales and issue the relevant circular with immediate effect.  

To counter the union action, the Education Minister Susil Premajayantha announces that all 9,714government schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, awhile ago.

Association of Educational Professionals Secretary Wasantha Dharmasiri told TNS earlier that the government dragging its feet on the problem for several years and therefore teachers would not tolerate the situation any longer.

The meeting between the government and the trade union failed to produce any result today, says a union source.

“We will reconsider our decision only if the government issues the relevant circular endorsing the proposed salary scales today itself. Practically, it may not be possible. So, we will go ahead with our action as planned,” Mr. Wasantha earlier said.

The teachers’ trade unions agreed to meet the officials during the next two weeks to find a solution to the existing salary anomalies but have not agreed to call off the schedule trade union action for tomorrow, says Education Minister Susil Premjayanth.