FUTA protests welcome - President

7 September 2012 08:57 am - 44 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said he has no objections to protests by Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) to coincide with the Commonwealth Parliamentary meet in Colombo next week as it will only go to show how vibrant the democracy in Sri Lanka is.

Addressing the editors at the Speaker’s residence this morning the President maintained that he has never objected to peaceful protests by any party, union or group and added he has issues only with protests and marches that have vandalism as part of their action.

He also added that as a policy he does not negotiate with trade unions while they are in to strike action and emphasized that if FUTA wants to resolve salary issues through negotiations it should first suspend the trade union action.

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Comments - 44

dgd. Saturday, 08 September 2012 02:48 AM

Really? Actually I think FUTA is doing OK and the Govt is helpless because their usual tactics of lying and intimidation are not working.

Jagath Leanage Friday, 07 September 2012 06:26 PM

"ethakota sudu van ewanne kauda ?"

Supun Perera Friday, 07 September 2012 08:58 PM

Look who is talking! The Corrupt Regime who never honour promises, talk from both ends, violate all the human rights. God save former democratic Sri Lanka.

Gamlath Friday, 07 September 2012 10:22 PM

Yes could you please let us know when is your next chintana volume two will be published.,

Sumana Dissanayake Saturday, 08 September 2012 12:26 AM

I should say President is too liner compared to JRJ and Premadasa. As now FUTA is asking the ‘whole pound of flesh’ in a rigid manner, government should take strong action to prevent the damage for the students. I propose President to declare the University system as an ‘essential service’.

Up Saturday, 08 September 2012 01:30 AM

At the same time time they will come to know how our country treas to the Professional its Education system and Younger generations.

weha Saturday, 08 September 2012 01:52 AM

Dear President
Not vibrant democracy men it will be a show about how clueless this government is on developing and taking forward the country.

Sivagnanam .J Saturday, 08 September 2012 01:46 AM

Dear,
Failure of negotiations lead to trade union action!
Pl read the unattended agreements if time permits.
Parane

das Saturday, 08 September 2012 02:41 AM

Really? Have the public demands been met?

das Saturday, 08 September 2012 02:55 AM

They should declare as an essential service, stooges like you who hang around on the internet singing the praises of an incompetent regime no matter what happens.

sam. Saturday, 08 September 2012 03:08 AM

We are still with you because Sinhalaya modaya,

SK Friday, 07 September 2012 05:30 PM

Your comments show very clearly who your teachers are!!!!!

nicky karunarathna Saturday, 08 September 2012 03:18 AM

These uni dons have no shame, They will even sell their mothers for tuppens. First they must realise that SL education is free from kindargarten to Uni. To distribute or dissiminate their knowledge what they got from free education to free educations - they want more like Oliver Twist. When are they going to learn getting free giving free and education is birth right of the every citizen of the country. Noble profession cannot win demands by ignoble methods. First they to understand the crux of the matter - which is with adjective come with Free!

DN Saturday, 08 September 2012 03:18 AM

By the way ....do you have a policy?

kane Saturday, 08 September 2012 05:47 AM

I do not think that even you understand what you are saying.

Hewa Saturday, 08 September 2012 07:34 AM

It will prove 3 things:
That peaceful protests are being allowed under a democratic set up
That the demonstrators have been unruly and may have damaged property and/or disrupted peace
That police are not afraid to act when the country's laws are breached.

Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 08 September 2012 09:57 AM

Those who benefitted from Free Educaion and now domiciled in /Austalia should keep their mouths shut on developments in Sri Lanka

gert Saturday, 08 September 2012 10:35 AM

I thought they were fighting to keep the money allocated for free education from being reduced.

Sumana Dissanayake Saturday, 08 September 2012 11:17 AM

Dear Das, You may need to label me as a ‘Stooge’ but someone also can describe you as same who is representing certain bankrupt parties. Indeed unbiased people have lost the confidence on opposition about their capability of governing the country as they have shown sheer incompetency even to run their parties. In the circumstances, people have to keep trust on the present (relatively competent) regime to get the things done. Is it called ‘Stooge’? Kindly live with reality than unrealistic dream world.

Upul Saturday, 08 September 2012 11:19 AM

This is not time to prove democracy in Sri Lanka. Solve the situation Please.

Rathnayake Saturday, 08 September 2012 11:39 PM

Mr. Supun P, Will citizens entrust the power on a platter in an irresponsible manner to a collapsed opposition like a piece of cake? Your loving hope, SF (you talked on behalf of him when he was in the Prison) is totally confused and gradually understanding his exact position in the political arena. Tiran also left!!! Main opposition (UNP and JVP) was just trying to survive after scattered to several fractions hanging on natural disasters like droughts but PC results is now against them. Can you show us an alternative to the government first? Next we could think about a change. Don’t belive God in elctions than the balat of the people.

Ranjit Aponso Friday, 07 September 2012 01:20 PM

FUTA says, "HUTA ! This is going to be FUTILE !"

lalith Friday, 07 September 2012 09:35 AM

it will also show what a mess the country is in also..... there are a segment on the australia network about the problems in our education system

Shyama K Friday, 07 September 2012 09:17 AM

Mr. President, Please don't forget why FUTA had to go on strike; because your government failed to honour the promises given to FUTA following their previous trade union action.

Godaya Friday, 07 September 2012 09:32 AM

Very good decision His Ex. Ask FUTA to go for foreign JOB. I am 100 % sure not more than 2 % can find Job in Abroad.
Because, only real academics are given foreign assignments.

Kautilya Friday, 07 September 2012 09:33 AM

Tried to disrupt the FUTA action but failed.Now singing the hosannas of democracy

Student Friday, 07 September 2012 09:24 AM

Sir,after the war, entire world stands against you.. But we,true sri lankans are with you..Don't give into international pressure mixed with cheap hidden political agendas that comes in guise of education issues ..

Student Friday, 07 September 2012 09:40 AM

GVT is not only for FUTA demands , but for public demands..

Student Friday, 07 September 2012 09:59 AM

Academics on streets, rather those who lead the action, are not up to the international standards..

KINGASANGA Friday, 07 September 2012 10:27 AM

rather than demanding, protesting try & think differently. be a very unique product then demand come back to your side. while your doing nothing but shouting, all the other professional go well over you guys.

Divakara Friday, 07 September 2012 01:09 PM

ok, we'll see if you not hurry to solve FUTA demands before your commonwealth meeting. you're like a cat shitted on rock. now looking for excuses to cover the shame!

perumal Friday, 07 September 2012 01:28 PM

Academics (so-called intelligentsia) were silent when general public started to undergo intimidation under lawlessness in the country, politicized and corrupt bureaucracy, and government sponsored thuggery. They still writhe in pain. Academics thought the wolf would not appear at their door. Now the public are silent. Academics pay.

Facebook Goviya Friday, 07 September 2012 09:17 AM

The problem Sir, is that you should also stick to your POLICY of keeping your promises (i.e promised to academics in 2008). They waited all this time (till 2012) without TU action. and also ASKED for a meeting with you during that time as well.

Chap Friday, 07 September 2012 01:34 PM

I'm a uni. student and our studies are disrupted by this strike launched by FUTA. Maybe FUTA has valid demands, but they are harming the very people that they are trying to protect. I'm no fan of the president, but I plead that FUTA ends its strike because this TUA is not affecting the rich people who can afford to send their students to high class private universities, it only affect us, the students who are not so well-off....

Anura Friday, 07 September 2012 01:36 PM

FUTA was earlier supported Hon MR.

Gayathri Friday, 07 September 2012 02:30 PM

Mahinda, democracy during Commonwealth Conference week then its tear gas and arrests the next week for FUTA.
DemocraCY IS THRIVING ONLY WITHIN YOUR FAMILY.

Spartacus Friday, 07 September 2012 02:42 PM

What about the demonstration of the police water canons, teargas and baton charging. I am sure the delegates will love the action.

Ranjith Friday, 07 September 2012 02:56 PM

Thank you sir.Don't worry they will back to work after defeating JVP in this election.They are not teachers.They are politicians(not all,only pool leaders)

Sajih Friday, 07 September 2012 03:32 PM

Athoritarianism towards education hub in Asia. Pooh..

GOD Friday, 07 September 2012 03:49 PM

Fall in to def ears

Gamarala Friday, 07 September 2012 04:01 PM

I don't know what happens to the president.
As victor Ivan said"mahinda is rare gem stone,
We have to cut and polish it . Butt unfortunatly
Stone went to wrong people. All work against
Him as well as country. Those idiots ruined the
Stone. Now even he forget true friendly people's
Force, that back him to top position.

ceylon Friday, 07 September 2012 05:05 PM

Sure he has no objections with all these protest because it does not effect him. It effect others with all the traffic blocks. Also no work for all these protectors. How could a country progress.

Senaka Friday, 07 September 2012 05:24 PM

FUTA president and vice president have a clear political agenda. FUTA President is for UNP and vice president is for JVP. Sadly FUTA membership is unable to rise against this agenda.

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FUTA protests welcome - President

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