The Education Non-Academic Employees Union requests the government to increase funds allocated for National Colleges of Education instead of closing colleges for a week owing to the food crisis.
The Union attributed the main reason behind the decision to postpone the reopening of colleges due to the lack of funds for food for students.
Accordingly, General Secretary of the Union Ajith K Tillekeratne requested that the sum allocated for each student be increased to a minimum of Rs.10,000 monthly from the current Rs.5,000 and called for necessary steps to be taken to open colleges expeditiously.
Tillekeratne added students cannot be kept at hostels owing to the food crisis.
He said Rs.160 has been allocated daily for a student for all three meals, and claimed it is insufficient, as a loaf of bread cannot be purchased for Rs.160 any longer.
He called on authorities to revise the decision to close colleges.
