Govt. needs time to solve salary issue: MR

24 May 2011 10:24 am Views - 5215

By Sandun A.Jayasekera

The government needs time to grant the demands made by University academics for a salary increase in less than six months after budgetary salary increase for public servants and may pose problems for the government, President Mahinda Rajapaksa observed today. 
   
President Rajapaksa made these observations when he met vice chancellors and deans to discuss the salary increase demands by university academics at Temple Trees.

“The government has acted respectfully on the issue with university academics. The government would pay attention to reduce the time frame needed to purchase a duty free vehicle by university academics and other benefits,” President Rajapaksa stressed.

If trade unions adhere to the non-confrontational and non-violent strategies accepted to the democratic way life, they can win their demands from any government, he said.

Commenting on the dispute, President Rajapaksa said certain opposition political parties are using the issue to create a confrontation between the government and the university academics but the government would was not ready to bow down to undue pressure.