Sri Lankan schools empty as Teachers & Principals go on strike

COLOMBO (News 1st); The teachers and principals unions in Sri Lanka went on a one-day strike on Wednesday (15).

Teachers and Principals went on strike in support of the action taken by the Professionals Trade Union Collective and several other issues.

News 1st correspondents reported that student turnout across schools in the country was at a low as a result of the strike.

The Professionals Trade Union Collective had declared a nation-wide day of strikes and protests.

Government, Semi-Government and Private Trade Unions are geared up to support the strikes.

Government Medical Officers, Specialist Doctors, University Teachers, Faculty of Medicine Teachers, CEB Engineers, Bankers, Petroleum Workers, Water Supply Workers, Road Development Officers, Education Administrative Officers, Surveyors, Inland Revenue Officers are among the 40 Trade Unions that will support this move.

Their main demand is to amend the unjust tax policy implemented by the government.

The PAYE tax between 6% to 36% imposed on monthly earnings over Rs. 100,000/- had placed professionals across many sectors in a tough position.

Public, Semi-Public and Private Trade Unions have joined their cause with several more demands.

These include a demand to reduce bank interest rates, provide a Cost of Living Allowance of Rs. 20,000/-, Reduce the Electricity Tariff, and suspend attempts to slash wages and pension payments.

At the same time, School Teachers, Principals, Nurses, Health Services, Postal Services, Public Management Services, Field Officers among others have decided to extend their support to the strike.