The youth of this country, including our students, are also leading the protests in their thousands (Picture AFP)

 At this time, when the country is together in protest, many are asking that we acknowledge our plurality in positive ways

IMF negotiations are generally predicated on “austerity” measures that constitute cuts to spending on social welfare

The following is a statement released by the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) regarding the present crisis in the country. 

We are witness to an unprecedented happening in the postcolonial history of this country. Countrywide protests are calling for a change in governance and economic undertakings, including the management of public and social goods like education, health and utilities. The protests are a result of the severe shortages brought on by an imminent economic collapse.  The Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) as the trade union of the country’s university academic community is in support of and solidarity with all those who are protesting peacefully. It is our view that any solutions -political and economic-that are imagined at this moment keep the people at their centre.

The economic crisis today has caused a severe shortage of essential goods and services, rising prices and a collapse of employment and livelihoods. The distress has brought people from all walks of life to the streets calling for drastic changes in the political establishment. The youth of this country, including our students, are also leading the protests in their thousands.  The protests have identified rampant corruption, failure of governance and rank incompetence of the elite as the causes of this downfall and their call is therefore for the president and the government to “go home”. 

The President, Prime Minister and the Cabinet should heed the people’s call and resign, facilitating the political reforms demanded by the people including the abolition of the Executive Presidency. An interim government must emerge that reflects both the call of the protesting people and the widest possible consensus among political parties represented in the current Parliament. 

The economic crisis today has caused a severe shortage of essential goods and services, rising prices and a collapse of employment and livelihoods. The distress has brought people from all walks of life to the streets calling for drastic changes in the political establishment

 

Economy
We are in a dire state of bankruptcy and our defaulting on the payment of foreign debt demonstrates it unequivocally. The past sins of successive administrations have led us to this moment where IMF intervention seems inevitable even though regrettable. IMF negotiations are generally predicated on “austerity” measures that constitute cuts to spending on social welfare. 

At this time, when the country is together in protest, many are asking that we acknowledge our plurality in positive ways. It is a time therefore to solidify this sense of unity.  

The Federation of University Teachers Association seeks to work with other trade unions and like-minded groups to find solutions to the economic and political crises that Sri Lanka and its people are faced with today. We are keen to participate in conversations, collaborations and protests that can help us collectively overcome the current crisis. We reiterate our commitment to building a society that upholds social justice, pluralism, democracy, equality, and freedom.