Multiple protests against the arrest of Teachers & Principals

by Zulfick Farzan 05-08-2021 | 4:08 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Protests took place at several locations in the country on Thursday (05) against the arrest of Teachers and Principals who were arrested on Wednesday (04) for protesting opposite the Presidential Secretariat.

Protests took place in Kurunegala, Katuneriya, and several other places.

44 teachers and principals were arrested following a protest opposite the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (04).

22 male teachers and 16 female teachers were detained by police in addition to 06 other people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5GBTIndAkc&t=1s

The Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Unions reached Colombo in motorcades from Kadawatha, Pannipitiya, Welisara, Kandy, and Moratuwa demanding solutions to their perennial issues including salary anomalies on Wednesday (04).

They are charged with unlawful assembly, obstruction of vehicular movement and main roads, as well violating the Quarantine Rules and Regulations, said the Police Spokesperson.

The protest opposite the Presidential Secretariat eventually ended with no final decision being reached.

Teachers and Principals have been protesting for almost 24 days all around the country, in an unprecedented show of force.

On the 12th of July, Fourteen trade unions representing teachers and principals went on strike despite calls from the government to give up their trade union action and continue with teaching activities.

The Trade Unions representing Teachers and Principals are making the following key demands :

01. Permanent solution to the perennial salary anomaly issue.

02. Immediate withdrawal of the Kotelawala Defense University Bill

03. Allocation of 6% of GDP for education

04. Permanent solutions to service issues faced by Principals and Teachers.

05. System for Extra-Curricular Activities attended by Teachers and Principals