The protest march launched by several teachers and principals trade unions opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station based on several demands including salary anomalies, has now reached the Presidential Secretariat.
Heavy traffic was reported near Colombo Fort due to the protest.
Three representatives of the teacher unions were granted the opportunity to enter the Presidential Secretariat in order to meet with officials.
Speaking to media prior to the discussion with officials, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union Joseph Stalin said two days ago Minister of Education Prof. GL Peiris claimed a Cabinet Paper will be tabled on Monday in order to address the issues raised by the trade unions.
He added Cabinet Papers will not resolve their issues as there has been no update pertaining to the Cabinet Paper tabled in January 2020.
Commenting on the statement by Minister Bandula Gunawardana saying there are insufficient funds to resolve salary anomalies of teachers, Stalin questioned if Minister Gunawardana is the Minister of Finance.
He questioned where the government obtained funding to import luxury vehicles, raise salaries for Ministers, construct a highway to Ratnapura and establish 500 gyms.
Meanwhile the Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Service Union Mahinda Jayasinghe requested protesters to move back from the Presidential Secretariat as Trade Union Leaders are holding a discussion with officials.
