Sri Lanka President requests university teachers to fulfill their obligations to students

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa has requested the university teaches to fulfill their obligations to the students and pledged his government's commitment to fulfill its responsibilities without any shortcomings when he met them yesterday (23) at the Temple Trees for discussions on their salary issues.

At the meeting expressing their support to the government, the university lecturers have presented their grievances to the President.


The President has assured that the government is prepared to conduct discussions with the university lecturers at any time to resolve their issues and pointed out that there is a specific way to win demands through trade union action.
President Rajapaksa has explained that it takes some time to fulfill the demands presented by the lecturers as it will be problematic to grant another salary increase within less than six months of raising salaries through the budget.
During the discussions, the President also has considered reducing the time needed for the university teachers to purchase duty free vehicles.
Minister of Higher Education, S.B Dissanayake, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne, Secretary to the Finance Ministry, Dr. P. B Jayasundara, President's Chief of Gamini Senarath and Chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof. Gamini Samaranayake participated in the event together with Vice Chancellors of universities.
(Photos by Chandana Perera)