FUTA strike to end on Thursday

9 October 2012 03:14 am - 41 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The months-long trade union action launched by university lecturers is likely to end with the lecturers deciding to call off their strike by Thursday.

FUTA President Dr. Ranjith Dewasiri said they decided to call off the strike by Thursday following successful discussions with Treasury Secretary P.B. Jayasundare last evening.

He said both parties reached consensus on the salary issues and the Treasury Secretary had pledged to give them written assurances on the matter soon. After receiving the written document, containing the method of the salary increase, the strike would be called off, he said.

At the meeting with Minister Basil Rajapaksa during the weekend, most of the issues of the lecturers except the salary issue were ironed out.
The university lecturers launched their trade union action on July 4 demanding solutions to various issues including the salary issue.

However, FUTA President Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri earlier said its Executive Committee would discuss the proposals submitted by the government and take a final decision tomorrow

“No final decision has been taken yet and we will end the strike only if we are satisfied with the outcome of the ongoing discussions.”

He said FUTA would not back down until its demands were met though it was willing to compromise on the request for a six per cent increase in government spending on education which was one of FUTA’s primary demands.

Dr. Dewasiri said the government had made it clear it could not increase government spending on education to six per cent of the GDP but said a significant increase in spending was expected by the union.

“We have not changed our stance on this matter and we will continue to fight for such an increase in government spending on education,” he said. (Ranjan Kasturi and Olindhi Jayasundere)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 41

Wara Tuesday, 09 October 2012 09:13 AM

If we allocate 6% out of 24% (which is the amount of GDP usable) from where could we find money for Salaries/pension, Samurdhi, Defense and health without thinking of development projects ?? Any way already government spending close to 5% for education through other ministries. Health ministry, Defence Ministry and some more.

Sumithi Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:25 AM

If the Cream of the brains to be retained a salary increase is needed. But everyody thought this was about something MORE than that. A movement for FUTURE. Not just a salary war. Then why the PAA GAMAN for 6%. Just stay home and demand a salary increase. This is using Public Sentiments just like politicians do...
The problem is a matter of principle.Not worthy of Uni lecturers..

Bandara Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:42 AM

In my comments I continuously reiterated that 6% is only to hoodwink general public who believe whatever the academics say is correct and in good intention. Those comments received overwhelmingly negative responses from people. At least now ordinary people must think more sensibly than just getting cheated at the hands of academics, politicians etc.

sugath pathirana Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:48 AM

If government agrees to increase the allocation for education. We have to see that wheather it work upto its promises. now everybody saying that not marking A/L is bad thing now tell us whether we have to accept government stand or go on strike till next budget in 2013 november ? we created the discussion amongst community. now it is up to the community to pressure their MPs and Ministers to talk in relevent forums about getting the increase in education expenditure. Lecturers will help it by giving the essense to areas to be developed. So this is a great start at least for people in this country. you have to accept that.

Psychologist Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:52 AM

Hey guys...FUTA didn't say that they abandoned the request for higher spending on education. I am happy that they came to a compromise so that both sides feel winners and some good happens to the education. We need to understand that they didn't get salaries for three months and do not have bargaining chips like CEB engineers or govt. doctors have. I salute them for their brave fight and bringing the attention to low spending on education unlike CEB engineers or doctors who behave like low level uneducated thugs to get their salary increases.

MH Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:16 AM

Let's not take this article for what it isn't. There was more agreed upon than just salaries or 6% There is more to this than meets the reader's eye.

Saradial Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:24 AM

Yes highest salary scale in the government sector but not enough for their qualification. An IT professional's salary in private sector is higher than Their Teacher's salary in University.

Saradial Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:27 AM

Of cause, it is the their main problem. You expecting only they should 6% for your children. How many parents supported their 6% protest?

Saradial Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:28 AM

Of cause, it is the their main problem. You expecting only they should 6% for your children. How many parents supported their 6% protest?

Sumithi Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:31 AM

Seriously.. Just imagine doctors going PAAGAMAN with 20% to health services along with salary increase. Stating striking for the PUBLIC ..then say Got the Salary now working.. Students+ patients in that case and Doctors can goto other COUNTRIES and earn more too... They are also having less when compared to their colleagues who went abroad..

Professor Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:43 AM

That is the reason we call uni lecturers intellectuals. They are shrewd than the general public and took 2012 and 2011 Advanced Level students and undergraduates for a ride by shedding crocodile tears regarding 6% allocation of GDP for education. Ultimately they are the winners by getting their salaries increased. What a foolish lot our public is.

wick Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:14 AM

Poor students who backed-up the demand of 6% GDP now in no mans land

DINESH WITHANAGE Tuesday, 09 October 2012 10:47 AM

while country men in dire conditions like in scarcity of water, struggling to make ends meet, to earn a day wage, undergoing immense hardship at their work place, these buggers while enjoying salaries far higher than the moderate citizens of this country are trying to exploit. in the name of justice their struggle must be defeated. we alarm them not to drag this country to a mess like the Europeans are in

Nalin Tuesday, 09 October 2012 11:09 AM

Nirmal Ranjith and his supporter must be removed and destroyed

rashan Liyanage Tuesday, 09 October 2012 11:17 AM

I AM A STATE UNIVERSITY LECTURER , WHO SAYS AL is a bench mark to access students quality?

Wara Tuesday, 09 October 2012 11:27 AM

If I were Nirmal, I would say, don't increase our salary, instead use that amount for the education !

sugath pathirana Tuesday, 09 October 2012 11:59 AM

If what you are thinking is right ? senior lecturers who have stood in support for the government will not come forward to help this union action. it is easier to find another part time openining in a private university than going all out strike for betterment of the state universities. even you double the salary now of course you might not find your best students from accepting a job at universty. That is how politicos damaged the education in this country.

Dammika Wednesday, 10 October 2012 12:34 AM

You have let down all the students, political parties and other activists who walked from Galle to Colombo and Kandy to Colombo just for 6%!

Ranjith Wednesday, 10 October 2012 03:28 AM

We as academics might end the strike. But this article cariies so much fase information

Champika Ratnayake Wednesday, 10 October 2012 02:59 PM

You should not call-back the strike until the demands are met because this might be the only opertunity to press the Government to protect the state universities which is their prime duty.

viraj Tuesday, 09 October 2012 05:42 AM

Cat's been out from the beginning. We're the fools. At the end they've got the salary and this might be followed by other trade unions as a trend. hee heee ;) some one please slap me for supporting this MUFs

marlon Tuesday, 09 October 2012 03:40 AM

CAT is OUT.
6% from GDP for increase salary :D

Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 09 October 2012 03:45 AM

Hope the minister will not try to scuttle & keeps his purging mouth shut.

Al Rasa Tuesday, 09 October 2012 03:52 AM

FUTA as a professional organization did something similar to a labour trade unions are doing.

YP Tuesday, 09 October 2012 03:57 AM

The cat was always out. 6% of GDP is partially their salaries and it was not hidden from the beginning.
They lecturers need to be paid much more than what they are paid currently in order to retain them in the country. I know that many good quality lecturers do not return SL when the go out to do their masters when they get lucrative opportunities overseas.
In fact, what harm will it do if they get paid more, if the 8th grade passed politico, the minister, the MP can earn millions and perks a month, yet doing nothing but taking the country down in the drain day by day?

Old Man Tuesday, 09 October 2012 04:30 AM

This is what everyone is looking for after that they dont care about the country.all rubbish

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 09 October 2012 04:41 AM

After all, all that talk of 6% was mainly for a salary increase and now they are willing to compromise on GDP allocation for education. This is how all so called struggles end up in this country.

Sumithi Tuesday, 09 October 2012 04:45 AM

Yes it seems they say in PRINCIPLE they support 6%. Well Government will also say they approve it in PRINCIPLE.
Like to see the agreed FRAMEWORK...

ind Tuesday, 09 October 2012 04:47 AM

As we said, 6% GDP is to get people's attention and support for their strike, not for the benefit of the education.

ind Tuesday, 09 October 2012 04:58 AM

Two innocent University students had to sacrifice their lives just to increase the salary (already they are having the highest salary scale in the government sector) but not for the benefit of the future education.

Wara Tuesday, 09 October 2012 03:33 AM

End of the day, all these things just to increase their OWN SALARY !!

Wara Tuesday, 09 October 2012 05:51 AM

Nonsense. They are comparing Sri Lankan salaries with American salaries. They earn in $$ and spend in $$ not in rupees. So its not a big amount for them. And also yesterday someone had put a link of Canadian salaries of different professions. In Canada, Pharmacists earn more than University Professor !!

prasad Tuesday, 09 October 2012 05:58 AM

Bullshit FUTA !! OK TO GIVE UP 6% - THE MAIN DEMAND
Cheating public similar to polititions. Increase pay... who cares of Education. Kathi hode !!

Teach this way to students so the whole country will be "Cheaters of Asia"!!

Siripala Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:00 AM

The 6% GDP was only a ploy to hoodwink the public. As anticipated, they would get their salary increase - which is very very unfair.The standard of education will never be raised in the universities as long as these people are at the helm.They never allow highly qualified scholars to join the university system. The case of Prof. Ratnajeewan Hool is a classic example.Those scholars will remain in foreign universities and ours will continue to be night schools.

Upali Wijewardene Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:05 AM

The damn hypocrite university dons. They hoodwinked the entire nation with the 6% story. Once they got their salary hike, everything is fine with the education system. MAY they rot in hell

uthayakumar Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:06 AM

most welcomed decision for our future generation

Fred Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:17 AM

This was their main demand to attract the student to this they came with 6% that 's y now they r happy with salary increase only otherwise must go for 6% also......

chithra Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:29 AM

Ultimately 02 young men sacrificed their lives for the benefit of the salary increase of their teachers. Very sad. These so called academics now ready to give up their main demand.
6% of GDP for education. NATAPU THOVILEKUTH NA BERE
PALUWAKUTH NA.

I never though these academic will fall into this shameless
status.

Imran Hussein Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:28 AM

End of the day they dont care nothing but their pockets.
We badly need quality Pvt Unis and Med. Colleges.

Free Thinker Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:02 AM

What most people fail to understand is that increasing their salaries does indeed benefit free education. People just make comments without proper knowledge about the situation. Private universities will come up for sure. Its a decision for the lecturers to make to at least stay part time with the govt. universities or not. I know that most of them do NOT like to be a full time lecturer at a private university because of the quality of students (Yes, the govt universities still get the best students), but if they dont have money to pay bills and live a comfortable life, how can we ask them to be a part of Govt universities for life?

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

FUTA strike to end on Thursday

Comments - 41

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

New Visa procedure implemented

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win