Audio: FUTA willing to compromise

6 October 2012 08:18 am - 36 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) said today that they are willing to compromise the demand for a 6% allocation of the GDP for education ahead of a key meeting with Minister Basil Rajapaksa scheduled for today.

Speaking to Daily Mirror online President of the association Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri said the GDP allocation wont form the crux of their demands.

“We didn’t expect the government to accept our demand of a 6% allocation, however, we have managed to educate the public through our trade union action about the underlying necessity of an allocation of 6% for education and that is indeed a major victory. While we will continue to push for this in the future it won’t form the crux of trade union demands during discussions” he said.

Dr. Dewasiri speaking to Daily Mirror online said that if certain other demands are met the University lecturers are willing to resume work forthwith while pushing for the 6% allocation.

“If we can come to an agreement regarding the salary issue together with issues revolving around university autonomy we are willing to resume work” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dewasiri said that there were posters of a provocative nature pasted outside his house last night.( H.F& ISA)

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Comments - 36

Senaka Saturday, 06 October 2012 04:50 PM

Well said Dammika ranagoda !

Mudiyanse mama Saturday, 06 October 2012 02:51 PM

Aha ha "who wants to consider them as special category employees" now? FUTA has tarnished the respect those great academics built over the years. They have applied the same strategy "Trying to mislead the common the man " so called politicians apply during the elections. Trying the same cheap game with masters of that, the result is obvious.

Saliya De Silva Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:03 PM

Hon. S.B. Dissanayake did not give into the threats of FUTA buggers.
From the beggining he knew those FUTA buggers are selfishly motivated and benefit driven group.

Congrats to SB.

Junior Citizen Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:29 PM

Aiyyo FUTA, WHAT A MESS FOR 3 MONTHS, Did you consult Ranil Somawanse? Why change stance- A rash decision- fight unto death -SF said he will fight to the last for you. he thought you are a terrorist- of course you tried to be-

frank hilary Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:30 PM

Is it yet another great betrayal by trade unionists as usual ?

Dammika ranagoda Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:33 PM

You idiots did not know the meaning of 6% of the GDP request or the definition of it. UNESCO or anybody cannot give a universal single figure for education expenditure for all countries because the development is at different levels.The salaries paid to academics are already too high for arts, science, and similar faculties. Do you know that Japan, a prosperous country the direct government education expenditure is a little over 3%. In Sri Lanka education is funded by many resources. Without doing a proper research (YOU ARE (WRONGLY) ACCALIMED TO BE RESEARCH ORIENETED) you have gone on this demand, and you have wasted 3 months of students’ lives, public money and national wealth. In the education history of SL they will never forgive you for this crime. You are a disgrace to Hon. CWW Kannagara who set up the free education in SL. Your total education was funded by our poor people and now you have taken their AL children to Ransom. Disgrace! Disgrace! Disgrace!!!

Gayan Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:56 PM

So the 6% was the "billa" to get the salary incriment all along. People were taken for a ride from the biggining by FUTA.

observer Saturday, 06 October 2012 04:34 PM

this whole thing first started with these people demanding an increase in their salaries.. the idea about demanding 6% for education was dragged in later on... they probably realized they are unlikely to gain public support for a salary increase, seeing as they are already a group of people which receive very high salaries, compared to the average sri lankan.. i'm not at all against the increasing of funds for education (especially higher education) but i find it hard to believe that is their top priority...

observer Saturday, 06 October 2012 04:45 PM

yeah riight... even if it means that their actions would completely mess up the system? some people may help these sorta stuff with the honest intention of supporting education.. but i've noticed in recent times (especially with the z score case) is that it's actually the ones who claim to be protecting free education who seem to be doing the most damage to free education...

Nimal Dewasiri Saturday, 06 October 2012 02:42 PM

Whack these FUTA buggers out of Universities for misusing general public toget increaments to their salaries.

They blackmailed the goverment by hostage taking the 'demand for a 6% allocation of the GDP for education'.

6% ballata giyaden ape padi wadiwenawanam.

Senaka Saturday, 06 October 2012 04:52 PM

SK do you think daily mirror readers are idiots ? What is this other mean to fight for 6% ? You have already used your best weapon for no use for over 3 months. Without cheating intelligentsia of this country please get back to work before you will be assaulted by the general public.

Parent Saturday, 06 October 2012 05:03 PM

you nutty professors you ruined 3 months of children education finally salary. Why are you titled professors? to teach the people 6% or teach our brightest minds.finally SB was right it was nothing to with the welfare of education , welfare of your pockets. AlL marking , all our curses are on you. bcos you have tag " Educated People " . you,ll should publicly whipped like the ancient kings did. Hats off to His Excellency not to meet blood suckers like you,ll. If you want to politics leave your profession and do politics dont hold oir children education to ransom.

Mohan Saturday, 06 October 2012 09:05 PM

Hope this is not merry go round. ....or going around the mal berry bush.

Shylock De Prof Sunday, 07 October 2012 03:33 AM

One of the top spy agent in Colombo paid 500,000 or $ 5000equilent to the uni lecturer struggle as he want to carry this on forever. Why? only the top spy agents know... Anyway neighbors want big share from SL students to promote their private Uni system...

sam Sunday, 07 October 2012 12:00 AM

how much were u offered to compromise? via DM Android App

arjuna Sunday, 07 October 2012 04:18 AM

you selfish bastards, it's all about your sallary.

Hemantha Jayawardena Sunday, 07 October 2012 05:07 AM

hi SK (from what I gather from your post, you are most likely a FUTA member), are the academics represented by FUTA ready for a performance based remuneration scheme where a significant part of your remuneration is based on delivery? If the answer is YES, you would get a lot more support from the people. I would suggest that you the academics suggest the criteria / evaluation mechanism etc. - don't leave it to the government.

The bottom line is no sane person in the country is happy with education in Sri Lanka. But a lot of us are jittery when all you ask asking for are benefits to you, but not willing to put you neck on the line for delivery in return.

vat hora Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:09 PM

please flexible guys.

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 06 October 2012 08:46 AM

So hapy to hear. Yes what you said is correct . Now people know what is GDP and their allocations to education. Infuture we will wait and see how "Pandiths" in education administration handle our "FREE EDUCATION".

Esala Saturday, 06 October 2012 09:10 AM

Nonsense...need only salary increase. Modayanta hodai mewa.

AP Saturday, 06 October 2012 09:16 AM

salary relates positively with stress you get

saman Saturday, 06 October 2012 10:03 AM

Indian lecturers also supporting yours action to destabilize our universities then they can attract more students from SL

Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 06 October 2012 10:43 AM

So, after all it was all about how much more salary you all can get and to hell with free education and 6% of GDP allocation for education.

Rani Saturday, 06 October 2012 11:14 AM

I already told, that FUTA is more concerned over its salary rather than any thing else. FUTA was hoodwinking general public. Should not be paid for the unproductive period they wasted.

dias Saturday, 06 October 2012 11:32 AM

Good Luck to FUTA. You will get a salary increase and 4% of GDP for education.

Sumithi Saturday, 06 October 2012 11:34 AM

Even before the negotiations begun, not even saying after initiating a plan with targets of getting to 6%?
Kattiyama kadae yawanawa wagene..
What's the off the record deal???
Blackmail or gifts?

Ruki Herath Saturday, 06 October 2012 08:36 AM

So, it is only about your salaries, is it? How are you any different to anyone else wanting higher salaries without taking any responsibility / accountability?

SK Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:26 PM

I think the title here is misleading. FUTA never said that it will go on strike until 6% is given for education. FUTA and everyone else with a sane mind know that this can not be done overnight. What FUTA wanted regarding 6% demand is for the government to accept it on principle and provide a framework to achieve that. Even if the FUTA decides to call of the strike, it will continue to fight for the 6% demand by way of other means. That is what Dr. Nirmal is trying to say here. Otherwise, it is not correct to say FUTA is going to "compromise" the 6% demand. i know this for sure as I am an active member of FUTA.

Tanushka Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:34 PM

Its can be salary or anything.. But Standing for something rightful is better than blaming comments.

siri Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:57 PM

why so much of cry of Indian Dons?

siri Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:58 PM

why so much of cry from Indians?

SK Saturday, 06 October 2012 01:11 PM

Please don't jump into conclusions. These news items are misleading. FUTA (or anyone with a sane mind to that matter) never expected the government to allocate 6% for education at one go. What we want is for the government to acknowledge the need of increasing funds and to provide a mechanism/ time frame to achieve that 6% target. What Dr. Nirmal means here is that FUTA may not continue with the strike until 6% is given. It may call of the strike if the other key demands are met but would definitely continue the struggle by way of other means until the 6% target is achieved. Therefore, to interpret this as a "compromise" is not accurate.

manuri Saturday, 06 October 2012 01:24 PM

Ha ha..so they want to compromise ? really.....

may be this Goon DR.Nirmal whoever he is cannnot hold onto his guns anymore.....(we like to know where you got your doctorate first? from china may be....

so where is the talk about the free eduction thing now?.......

now the government should hold on to their guns...and tell them to go back to book and get on with it....without further wasting public funds for their fun............enough is enough....

Senaka Saturday, 06 October 2012 01:38 PM

Every one knows 6% could not be given to education. This demand was brought to get the support of public and other unions. Now we all know what they are asking for ?

Saliya De Silva Saturday, 06 October 2012 02:34 PM

Balala mallen eliyata pani.

Janathawa modayata andaweeme 6% kalawa.

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Audio: FUTA willing to compromise

Comments - 36

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