Teacher deprived of free speech

20 October 2013 03:35 pm - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Teachers’ unions today vehemently criticised a decision made by the Education Ministry to take disciplinary action and fine a teacher who made a statement to the media concerning alleged sexual harassments she had faced.

P. S. M. Palakatiya – a teacher from Mahanama College, Colombo was subjected to a disciplinary inquiry by the Education Ministry, following a statement she made to the media in November 2011, concerning acts of corruption allegedly carried out in the school as well as an incident of sexual harassment she had allegedly had to face.

However, on September 30, as per the instructions of Education Ministry Secretary, Gotabhaya Jayaratne, Ms. Palakatiya was fined Rs. 30,000, deprived of a salary hike and transferred to another school as a result of her statement to the media.

“The teacher sought media assistance to shed light on the issues she was facing due to the Education Ministry’s inaction concerning her grievances. She was simply exercising the freedom of expression entitled to her by section 14 of the Constitution. This disciplinary action imposed on her by the Education Ministry is a clear violation of her right to expression,” Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary, Joseph Stalin said.

According to Mr. Stalin, Ms. Palakatiya has been charged of violating sections XLVII 6.5 and 6.1.4 of the Establishment Code, which restrict officials attached to the government sector from expressing views to the media without prior permission from his/her superiors and thereby ruling her action of making statements to the media, illegal.

“The Education Ministry only shed light on her grievance following the statement she made to the media. However, to this day, no action has been taken against any of the officials she held responsible in her complaints to the Ministry. Under such circumstances, the action taken by the Education Ministry has only further victimised the victim of the situation,” Mr. Stalin pointed out. (Lakna Paranamanna)

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Comments - 24

Saman Monday, 21 October 2013 08:36 AM

This is the sad situation that SL has become today!

Saman Tuesday, 22 October 2013 11:32 AM

Really, who?

dr ceylon Tuesday, 22 October 2013 08:23 AM

not only teacher,in sri lanka no one has free speach unless only speach supporting rulers.

Terrence b.de Silva Tuesday, 22 October 2013 01:33 AM

LEST WE FORGET SL HAD A MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION WHO OBTAINED 7 F;S AT THE G.C.E. (O/L) EXAMINATION

Nodrog Monday, 21 October 2013 02:09 PM

How can you say you are deprived of speech but still have the freedom to post your comments here?

Suq Madique Monday, 21 October 2013 02:07 PM

So how come you have the freedom to comment in this forum?

Suq Madique Monday, 21 October 2013 01:01 PM

Don't be patriotic to the Govt but be patriotic to your country.

tony Monday, 21 October 2013 11:40 AM

CANT THE ANTI CORRUPTION UNIT ACT

Roshan Monday, 21 October 2013 10:51 AM

This is what happen when puppets are in the parliament.

OBGG Monday, 21 October 2013 10:21 AM

Won't the people have an opportunity to file answers at the next Western provincial council elections next year?

Peace Lover Monday, 21 October 2013 09:55 AM

This nothing to be Alarmed or Surprised. As long as this Govt. is in power this will continue. This is why I always say "God Bless Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans"

citizenJ Monday, 21 October 2013 09:54 AM

I thought it is a paradise for TUTION Masters now it has become a paradise for perverts too.

Prof. Calculas Sunday, 20 October 2013 03:46 PM

Heading for aauthoritarian state?

buhary Monday, 21 October 2013 05:51 AM

Wonder of asia!!!!!!!

Fayad Monday, 21 October 2013 04:50 AM

Not only teachers every body is deprived of speech

Mason Monday, 21 October 2013 04:42 AM

There is nothing free and fair in Sri Lanka anymore. Remember
what happened to the former General and Chief Justice. They only exercised their rightful freedom and the State brought in "bulldozers" to crush it.
It will not be surprising if freedom and democracy is fully suppressed. In fact it may even be handed over in a platter in the not too distant future.

Duminda N Jayatileke Monday, 21 October 2013 04:41 AM

No wonder people are running away from the stupid corrupt country. Whoever gave SL CHOGM must be very rich by now.

Punny Pellow Monday, 21 October 2013 01:20 AM

Sections XLVII 6.5 and 6.1.4? Formulated during the Colonial administration? We can question Charlie and Cameron at the CHOGM!!

The Fourth Horseman Monday, 21 October 2013 12:44 AM

The Education Ministry is full of morons from top to bottom!!!

crick Sunday, 20 October 2013 06:23 PM

wonder of asia!

Andrew Pitugala Sunday, 20 October 2013 05:59 PM

Obviously the person against whom she had made the complaint has political clout.

Chaminda Sunday, 20 October 2013 12:00 AM

I think it's because the present education ministry secretary also had many such complains from boys . So it's nothing for him .

antonsunil Sunday, 20 October 2013 04:56 PM

Is Sri Lanka becoming a Paradise of perverts, under the present leadership?

Shace-UK Sunday, 20 October 2013 04:41 PM

Banana Island is a laughing stock when it comes to law and order....

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Teacher deprived of free speech

Comments - 24

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