28 March, 2024

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FUTA Slams Rajapaksa’s Statement On Its Strike Action

By Colombo Telegraph –

“We wish to register our disappointment regarding media reports on the 7th of September quoting H.E the President Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa that as a policy he does not engage in discussions with unions while they are on strike action. He is further quoted as saying that if FUTA wants to settle issues through negotiations, it should first suspend trade union action.” says FUTA.

Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri

Issuing a statement FUTA says ” FUTA has no desire to prolong trade union action any longer than necessary. We appeal to H.E the President and the government to refrain from delaying negotiations and to take immediate steps to resolve the current crisis in the education sector. The strike action has gone on for over 2 months not because FUTA was unwilling to engage in a negotiated settlement but because of the government’s inability to provide specific answers to the issues raised by FUTA.”

We below reproduce the FUTA statement in full;

FUTA Statement regarding Right to engage in Trade Union Action

We wish to register our disappointment regarding media reports on the 7th of September quoting H.E the President Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa that as a policy he does not engage in discussions with unions while they are on strike action. He is further quoted as saying that if FUTA wants to settle issues through negotiations, it should first suspend trade union action.

This statement by the President has very serious implications not just for FUTA but for other trade unions as well. The right to engage in trade union action is a fundamental human right and it is a right which is constitutionally guaranteed in Sri Lanka. By refusing to engage with trade unions engaged in strike action, the President is questioning this fundamental right. If the Executive takes such a position with regard to a fundamental freedom and right enshrined within the constitution, it suggests a lack of respect and regard for basic democratic principles from the highest authority of this country which is extremely alarming.

H.E the President is well aware that prior to resorting to trade union action, FUTA has been engaged in discussions for almost a year to resolve issues in the education sector. The lack of a proper response from the government drove FUTA to resort to strike action in July 2012. Since then, FUTA has participated in discussions with the various members of the government and has expressed its willingness to resolve the issue through discussions. Discussions were held with Mr Lalith Weeratunga, Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Dr P.B Jayasundera. However, the government has yet to provide a specific solution that signals to FUTA a willingness to resolve this issue. The Cabinet note that was shared with FUTA does not address the salary issues of university academics nor does it commit to a specific plan for increasing investment in education. Mechanisms for addressing the issue of university autonomy and politicisation have also not been specified. Although the salary issue has been discussed with the Secretary to the Treasury, FUTA still awaits a specific plan from the government in this regard. In such a situation, FUTA is not in a position to suspend trade union action.

FUTA has no desire to prolong trade union action any longer than necessary. We appeal to H.E the President and the government to refrain from delaying negotiations and to take immediate steps to resolve the current crisis in the education sector. The strike action has gone on for over 2 months not because FUTA was unwilling to engage in a negotiated settlement but because of the government’s inability to provide specific answers to the issues raised by FUTA.

Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri

President

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Latest comments

  • 0
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    Well Done Nirmal. Do not bow to this rascle.

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      Flexibility is not bowing …. I could see the flexibility is slowly emerging …
      Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri say
      ” …. The right to engage in trade union action is a fundamental human right and it is a right which is constitutionally guaranteed in Sri Lanka. By refusing to engage with trade unions engaged in strike action, the President is questioning this fundamental right. “
      Fundamental rights are not only for the unions … It should be protected for others including the president … Rights to any view by the president regarding problems in the country is ok because he ultimately has to go infront of the people of the country to get elected not like a trade union which has responsibility only for it’s members ….. President is only exercising his democratic fundamental right as FUTA did when he says “… if FUTA wants to settle issues through negotiations, it should first suspend trade union action. … “
      I feel bit sympathetic towards the president when I see the the ‘intellectual’ leadership at FUTA …. President Dr Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri and Vice President monk Dambre Amila …

      • 0
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        what is your point? FUTA demanded and nothing was achieved. If president wants, he will stop salary for strike period. So what is your point of sympathy?
        FUTA plans lost.
        1) Signature collection lost its credibility.
        2) Demonstrations lost its credibility
        3) Though we do not discover, we have more than 65% Professors who ready to assume duties if we provide security for them.
        4) Mass understood it was NGO who influenced the FUTA
        5)It was revealed that FUTA is asking certain demands that public mass or even JVP does not support. If you have even JVP support for this activity let us know.

        There are many more to say. See my comments below.

        • 0
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          ..and the president and his ministers have the highest levels of credibility?

    • 0
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      Keep up the good work FUTA! Be of good courage and stay the course! The people united will never be defeated – and the people are with FUTA.

      The regime is cunning and has staged the fake Buddhist Kapilavastu relics show and the provincial elections to boost its image to the Commonwealth conference..

      If possible FUTA with all trade unions should organize a massive rally during the on going Commonwealth Conference against the barbaric rajapakse regime. Or FUTA should prepare and distribute leaflets presenting the other side of the story to conference delegates on the state of education and democracy in Lanka under the regime..

      Rjapakse has gotton used to delaying solutions and wasting time re. the national question and power sharing with minorities, and is playing the same game with FUTA to break the strike.. But the crisis is snowballing..

      • 0
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        Yes, FUTA do no be discouraged by the regime’s tactics.. Rajapakse is waging a war of attrition on FUTA to break the strike..
        Arbitration is another tactic to break the strike and tie FUTA up in knots.. Do not fall for it. Take the struggle to the people and to the streets..

    • 0
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      The Rejapakse regime is depriving students and teachers of intellectual and material sustenance.
      The regime should remember that a hungry man is an angry man and the strike will snow ball into a movement for peaceful regime change.
      The delaying tactics used on the useless TNA will not work on FUTA and will backfire in the end..

    • 0
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      It is evident that all politically bankrupt parties and similarly disable people are cheering the FUTA saying “Well-done, we are with you, pickup the momentum, go to street …etc”. This is more or less like whistling some rowdies in the gallery of a film hall whilst seeing a film that was produced for satisfy mainly the fun lovers. Said bankrupt parties are gradually adding students, non-academics …to further strengthen their only hope to create a force against the government.
      The government is apparently playing defensive strokes carefully up to now studying the pitch. Captain Davasiri is balling assuming as they are powerful but we will see how government defeats the immature team led by Captain Davasiri.

      • 0
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        If FUTA loses you can be assured that the education system to erode beyond salvageable levels. Who is the winner then?

  • 0
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    well done FUTA – pick up the momentum and move …

    • 0
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      FUTA should organise a massive demonstration near the Lotus Pond venue where the current Commonwealth Heads of Meeting is on and hand over a petition to the delegation, how the Head of State MR, is treating the Academics in this country and ruining the Education of the future generations.

  • 0
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    GO FUTA. We are with you

    • 0
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      Why do you appear as a final year university student? Only a foolish group of students are with you FUTA.we have seen students like you in universities during first year .they always try to fulfil some personal desires by victimising the innocent students…you always support and follow the footsteps of a foolish mad group who did the same thing in the past. When are you all going to change this system???in the name of ‘new system’ FUTA tries to satisfy their personal needs.(salary +benefits) while putting darkening the future of the students who really wants to educate themselves and support the family and the country

      • 0
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        I am also a University Student and if you are a University Student you will relealize how bad the conditions in Universities are. and we fully supported this action. This may delay studies for some time. BUT IF THIS ACTION FAIL THAT WILL JEOPARDIZE the university system for-ever.

  • 0
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    The relentless FUTA be steadfast. Every right thinking Sri Lankan will be with you. Not negotiating while on strike is an old capitalist attitude. Is the President, who calls himself a Trade Unionist (he was only President of the pro-SLFP Union and he never went on strike) and Socialist taking a capitalist attitude and keeps socialism confined only to the red stripe in the shawl around his neck. What hypocrisy?

  • 0
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    This, from a president who as the Labour Minister in Chandrikaès cabinet made a huge noise about introducing a Workers’ Charter which purported, inter alia, to protect trade union rights. The hypocrisy is telling, but we as a people have very short memories.

    • 0
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      They say there are no funds to pay the Dons but how much is the Commonwealth Parliament tamasha and the circus of premature provincial elections – an ego boosting exercise for a regime that is an international Pariah- costing the people and contribute to the national debt that has grown by 40 percent?

      Who benefits from the Commonwealth parliamentary talk shop held in a dysfunctional democracy run by a family dictatorship akin to Gadhaffi?
      FUTA must stay the course and lead a peaceful regime change..

    • 0
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      Quid Pro Quo, why what about his position leading the Mother’s Front as the Savior Of Human Rights? Making pilgrimages to even Genva requesting the World Body to boycot Sri Lanka?

  • 0
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    “Dr” Nirmal Ranjith is doing what he couldn’t do by his X group. people who lnow about him knows who he is. people thought about Sunanada Deshapriya the same way.

  • 0
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    FUTA comprised with educated and respectable gentlemen. They are not cheap, low morale, cast out, uneducated thugs who do not need to bow down to political maneuvering. Further they have been submitting their requests for over an year and it is govt’s duty to resolve them amicably. After all what is the purpose of ruling the country if Govt. cannot attend to these issues. It has become a headache to people than an asset just to educate their children as everything in disarray.

  • 0
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    Well saId FUTA. It’s time that all trade unions support FUTA and teach filthy politicians a lesson.

  • 0
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    It is so pathetic that HE is talking like a man who suddently woke up from a deep sleep. Didn’t he really know that FUTA was trying to get their problems solved through discussions for more than a year?

  • 0
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    President is right. FUTA does not have right to have a continuous strike. This is a violation of fundamental rights of students. President should not make any negotiation with FUTA until it stopped inhuman strike. Furthermore, FUTA is trying to get student mass into the streets. This is also very wrong and adulteration of young generation by their teachers. Any demonstration or protest must be governed by the independent thinking of that group. However, we cannot assume that street protest by students is generated by themselves but they have been forced by their teachers to do so.
    Also, collection of signature for petition has the same effect and thus, these activities lost the credibility. I urge the government not to pay any payment or give benefits for the FUTA members for the period they have been boycotting their duties. (Open for discussion in a professional manner).

  • 0
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    Go ahead. We all are with you.

  • 0
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    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
    http://colombotelegraph.com/comments-policy/

  • 0
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    This little mùand Dewasiri is misleading a all Professors. Rajapakse the President has done more than what Dewasiri could ima

  • 0
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    This little man Dewasiri is misleading a whole lot of Professors. Rajapakse the President has done more than what Dewasiri could imagine. Dewasiri has done nothing to the country or the Universities. He cannot think as a learned man and take reasonbale decisions. It is sad the professors had elected him to lead them. He is cruel sadistic and dangerous , more than the terrorists.

    Rajapaksas’s will be known as the Saviours of Sri Lanka, and Dewasiri like the terrorists a man bornn to bring disrepute to Sri Lanka. He shoiuld be shunned by every right thinking man if there are any amoung the professors in FUTA

  • 0
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    Don’t let eomotions to takeover ur inteligence and wisdom.keep it up mr nirmal.respect

  • 0
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    I like to help Futa financially, but dont know how to do that, I am sure there are many more like me, so if someone can enlighten us , will be great!

    • 0
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      To help FUTA financially, go to
      futa.welfare@gmail.com

      • 0
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        So that they can strike longer ?

      • 0
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        yes now they need money to run their families ohhh no now they do earn money by doing lectures for the students who could pay for it but not the who are looked after by the government…their aim is to facilitate them selves while motivating private education…they have already been hired by privet institutions who provide degrees for money……thankx dear teachers !!!!!!!!!!our foolish students are following you assuming that you try to stop this…..if you want i can give examples….

    • 0
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      Sure they will love to accept it…anyway at the end they are asking for money. They are begging money over the university students’ education…they have financially been motivated by some other political groups who couldn’t show off in the elections…Mr Ranjith Dewasiry is trying to put his experience during JVP interruption (when he was a university student)in to practice again as cheap, low morale, cast out, uneducated thug ..and equally cheap ,low moral, cast out,thugs are following him….

  • 0
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    We are with u. Continue the struggle of the nation’s education till it reaches to its climax! I wish FUTA more courage and strength!

  • 0
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    Dear all FUTA members,

    Your trade union action is affected to all current university students and who waiting for entering to the universities. Further, your action badly affected to students who set 2012 A/L. Because, all A/L students do not wish to enter to state universities. Most of them want to looking for jobs. According to the HE minister, you are getting higher salary compared to other government officers. State universities are not profit making institution in Sri Lanka and you cannot demand same salary such as commercial institutions. You have great freedom and almost all of you have extra income such as working in private universities, other institutions and giving tuition. Most of university teachers do not have doctorate and high quality research publications (such as ISI, Scopus). According to the MOHE statistics, only 42% of teachers have PhD in well established universities such as Peradeniya, Colombo, SJP, Kelaniya. It is 22% and 18% in the North-east universities and regional universities. Therefore, you should reasonable. You give another one or two years to the government about your salary issue. At the this time, you try to achieve higher money allocation for higher Education. Due to this strike action, students are suffered lot and our university ranking further deteriorate. If any university teacher wants higher salary, he/she should find foreign university job.

    • 0
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      “According to the HE minister, you are getting higher salary compared to other government officers””

      Also according to the HE minister, they are “thakkadi”

  • 0
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    The FUTA members arfe cheap, of low morale, cast outs, half “uneducated” thugs who do not reason. Dewasiri is like a mad dog whipping at any one without rea

    • 0
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      If FUTA are “cheap, of low morale, cast outs, half uneducated thugs who do not reason”, what would you call some of our politicians?

      • 0
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        Dog A is asking from dog B Why dog C is calling me ‘DOG’ Then dog B replies ‘Because they have the same qualities like us they behave the same way as we do briefly theirs no difference between us’

        • 0
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          You must be dog C, then?

  • 0
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    The FUTA members are cheap, of low morale, cast outs, half “educated” thugs who do not stand to reason. Dewasiri is like a mad dog biting any one without reason and without respecting the highest in the land. He thinks that he is more important than the President and he thinks he knows how exactly to deal with unreasonable uncouth irresponsible trade unionist like him and his FUTA.

    Minister SB is the one who stopped ragging when the University professors were unable to do any thing and silently watched the childrfen suffering. They do not even seem to understand the importance of the Commonwealth meeting.

    No correct thinking Citizen of Sri Lanka will agree with them.

    If they are intellectuals the highest brains in the country they will not resort to street manifestations and strikes, but like respectable reasonable and recognised persons stop their strike and start discussions and come to an agreement .

    They should give an example to the Children and tghe country. No right thinking citizen of Sri Lanka will agree with them.

  • 0
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    Hope the government will not bow down to this man “Dr” Nirmal Ranjith try tiried to destroy the future in Sri Lanka by trying to introduce “X group” now he is acheving his objectives in another way.

    Anyone with a little knowledge about University system can understand if this salary hike was given. Next will be the strike from Non academic staff. the slogan will be “Watup Wishamatha Nathi karawu”.

    Then again the univiversities will be closed. This is a game played through out our history. This need to be stopped.

    Keep it up MR donot bow down to these goons. Specialy to a “History” lecturer who he is saying Sinhala History is a Myth.

  • 0
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    FUTA is right in what they do.It’s shame that those who matter and powerful in the government behave seemingly unwilling to understand the quintessence of the demands and the struggle they wage for a just cause.The policy makers should swallow their hubris with which they seem to behave besotted with powers they wield and should make a genuine effort to resolve this issue that is most important for the whole nation.

  • 0
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    I wonder about FUTA’s poor understanding regarding President’s point.
    The FUTA’s statement says that as they started the trade union action after making several requests and failure in which started the action. Further they said that they had discussions with ministers SB & Basil and President’s secretary hence FUTA is not in a position to suspend their trade union action.
    As intellectuals they have failed to understand president’s point that he clearly told to media. His point is; “he does not engage in discussions with unions while they are on strike action”. In other words; if someone needs President (as the leader of the country) to involve in this issue he would do it after suspended the trade union action by the FUTA only. As such if someone needs Presidents involvement then FUTA’s long statement stating the history of their actions to date is invalid. Can we challenge the policy decision of President writing inappropriate facts by FUTA?
    When Prbhakaran exceeded the tolerable limits during the talks with government, President said “don’t push me to the wall”. But hence Prbhakaran didn’t change his rigid stance, President used his powers tactfully. I think FUTA is trying to play same game with President like LTTE. If president takes suitable diplomatic action, majority of FUTA member would be scattered everywhere and would end up the strike. Finally few leaders like Dr. Devasiri , Ven D. Amila ..etc will remain.
    I think most intelligent way is understand the exact level of FUTA and go for proper negotiations with President without dragging. Otherwise FUTA will loose whatever agreed by the government in favour of them.

    • 0
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      Mr. Arambewela, you are absolutely correct. The problem is, President is too flexible compared to JRJ and Premadasa (I don’t know whether he takes sometime till UNHCR forum ends). As of now FUTA is asking the ‘whole pound of flesh’ in a rigid manner, this is high time government to take strong action to prevent the damage for University system.
      I like to propose President to declare the University system as an ‘essential service’ then everyone should report to duties. Consequently government can proceed with talks (if necessary) or meet the reasonable demands that government could meet within their capacity without making discrimination to other well-education government professionals. Otherwise this situation would further take as a grant and would manipulate by certain opportunists for their requirements.

      • 0
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        Good suggesion.

  • 0
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    Government plan to set up another new university which is not under UGC.
    http://www.divaina.com/2012/09/11/news20.html
    This university also sell the degree for money and recruit students without A/L.

    National School of Management is also set up in Homagama for sell the degree for money and recruit students without A/L.

    Government try to dilute UGC and State universities.

    • 0
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      A good development.. more people get educated.. people who have money dont need to go abroad to get degrees. If the level of education of these universities are not good these degrees will be useless and no one will spend money to get these degrees. Jelousy is inbuilt with our culture. Why be jelous ? Whats wrong with having education in Sri Lanka without spending money overseas ?

  • 0
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    The bottom line is Govt. started politicizing the whole education system including universities. For instant Rakna Lanka security personnel were employed to check student movement, giving two week military training to new univ. recruits, nil balakaya,army majors as school principals etc..etc. There are so many other issues of interfering public education and the result of this was the FUTA strike. Govt. has to understand that various govts., at various times come and go, but the education should be free and fair for all, and not to play with.

    • 0
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      iF FUTA is truly asking depoliticizing the education system. That is very good. But they need to depolitize FUTA first. Take ouits Vise president Ven Dambare Amila. He is the president of the JVP National Bikku Front. Huw long FITA can fool Sri Lankans ???

  • 0
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    If FUTA is truly asking depoliticizing the education system. That is very good. But they need to depolitize FUTA first. Take out its Vise president Ven Dambare Amila if possible. He is the president of the JVP National Bikku Front. Wonder how long FUTA can fool Sri Lankans.

    • 0
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      Mr. Harry White, My simple point also ; first FUTA should depoliticize next request the government. We know Dambara Amila Thero is a stong JVP member. Otherwise if FUTA needs a reasonable solution they could stop the strike now obtaining the given demands by the government. But as they are politicized they need to drag the issue to uncomfortable the government.
      The leaders of FUTA are not real intelligent and educated people. Intelligent and educated mean two different situations. They are real educated fools (ugath modayan). Sometimes they received PHDs from 3rd grade universities in the world.

      • 0
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        There are also uneducated fools (nugath modayan). Do you know any?

        • 0
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          Please read( “Dr” Nirmal Ranjith’s (FUTA president) writings on Sri Lankan history, including his [Edited out]”reserach”.

          Please watach Ven Dambare Amila’s (Vice President)speaches – There are many in youtube.

          Then you decide.

          Don’t forget, Non Accademic staff in the Uni waiting for there tern.

          @Harry White , please provide evidence to support your claim re funding – CT

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    Yes of cause…….I am not an extremist to say ‘no’ to your correct comment. But I didn’t need to write that because it is irrelevant to them. If you need further comments, I could also say we have uneducated intelligent (nugath but buddhimath) people like late Premakeerthi De Alwis.

  • 0
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    Did government hold paying salaries for the people who are engaging in strike?
    I have heard, government had agreed not to hold salaries at the discussion held with Minister Basil. But as FUTA didn’t respect the maximum demands met by the government, they should stop salaries.

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    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
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  • 0
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    There are two points of view ongoing Don’s demads put forwared by FUTA
    1 Impoved living conditions of Dons in our as well as level of state Universities.This must discusse and accomdated by MR and Ruling Party.
    2 Natioanl interest of Eduaction are concern of 6% GDP volume Funds has to allocated by Nation Budget by FUTA.
    Of cause is also reasonbal & fair request by FUTA ,but NOT WITHING FUTA trade union FRAMEWORK.
    This request is heavy burden to Prsent govt. immerditaly after END OF 30 YERAS WAR, ON RECOUNTRUCATION AND REHABILITAION OF NORTH -EAST ONGOING PROJECTS ARE CONCERN.Is imposible allocated such amount of Funds for Natioanl Education time being.
    It may having political motaived by anarchist and Foreign vested roll back demand of REGIME CHANGE PROJECT.
    We as the nation, we have accpect developing economy and knowledge such huge allocation of funds IS NEEDED,for Education and Developement; It will definitaly contribution for boots our ONGOING NATIONL ECONOMY AND IMPORVED LIVING CONDITIONS OF 70% RURAL POOR RURAL LIFE IN EVERY NOOK AND CORNOR OF THE ISLAND.
    Govt has no such vision of approch long-term point of view ,to be accpect Such greater demand on behalf people put forwared by FUTA.
    Is lack of Vision of Party, policy and Leadrship of political classes.
    Needless to say politiacl motivated keep beside by Govt,,as responsablial government OF ELECTED BY PEOPEL majority mandated,you have seek soulation for demand on befhalf of NATIONL INTEREST of OUR NATION>.
    SLFP & alliance IS NOT UNP, OR JVP, OR LTTE.IS DEMOCRACY ALLIANCE OF DEMOCARY CACAUSE are represtantative majority oppressed classes, incuding Natioanl Bourgeiosis of Social Structure.Its mission are towrads more fair and just Deemocratic order of future Sri Lanka.

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