State university operations at a complete halt due to continuous strike action

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The University Trade Union Joint Committee, stated that as authorities failed to provide a favourable solution to their concerns, the non-academic strike would be further extended. The chairman of the committee, Edward Malwattege said the discussions between the officials have not brought a proper solution to their issues. Due to the strike action, the operations of 15 state universities and higher education institutes have come to a complete standstill. These higher education institutes and the universities are governed by the University Grants Commision. More than 15,000 non-academic members support the trade union action first launched on 27^th February over several demands. These demands include a solution to the monthly allowance based on an agreement which was reached in the year 2016. The report says The University Grants Commission (UGC) has urged the protesters to suspend their strike immediately and to continue the discussions over their demands.