By Yohan Perera and Chaturanga Samarawickrama 

Teachers and Principals are to go on leave today to show their dissent to the government. 

The Teachers and Principals Joint Trade Union Alliance which launched months long agitation campaign demanding rectification of salary anomalies will apply for sick leave today to express solidarity with Galle Face protesters urging President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the government to step down.

Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said some of them would arrive in Galle Face Green.

He told Daily Mirror that teachers in all schools around the country will be engaged in trade union action.  Even though the strikes have been conducted around the country, the government seems to be turning a deaf ear to the demands of the people. The cabinet appointed by the government has failed to bring results. 

Children have become victims of the economic crisis today. Children are unable to come to school because of the higher transportation costs. This increased transportation cost has a significant impact on teachers as well. Considering all these facts, the CTU requested the Education Ministry to give a chance to get a transfer to a nearby school. However, the Ministry has rejected the request, “  he said. 

Several teachers and principals have decided to come to the Galle Face Green to show their opposition, he said.
Stalin added that the government should take full responsibility for the losses caused to the schoolchildren with their planned action today. 

Meanwhile, the Director of Catholic schools Fr. Gamunu Dias told Daily Mirror that teachers in Catholic schools are allowed to go on leave today in line with the decisions of the trade unions. 

BLURB

Meanwhile, the Director of Catholic schools Fr. Gamunu Dias told Daily Mirror that teachers in Catholic schools are allowed to go on leave today in line with the decisions of the trade unions