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Teachers summoned for political meetings on various pretexts allege TUs
View(s):Teachers unions in the Southern Province (SP) allege that elections laws are being violated, as teachers in certain education zones are called for political meetings, under the pretext of organising ‘Deyata Kirula 2015’ exhibition.
Galle District Teacher’s Union Secretary, Kelum de Silva said that a meeting has been called for 800 teachers in the Ambalangoda education zone on December 16 morning, while another meeting has been called for 400 teachers in the Balapitiya education zone the same day.
He said that all principals and teachers have been informed by the Zonal Directors in the area, on the instructions of the Ambalangoda Acting Education Director S.P. Chandrawathie, and the meetings are to be chaired by the Provincial Education Director and politicians of the area.
SP Pragathi Teachers Union Secretary, Lalith Senanayake said that, despite the Elections Commissioner issuing a special circular on November 24, to all State institutions, prohibiting the use of State employees in election propaganda work, this meeting has been called violating the law.
The unions charge that it has been mentioned that salary anomalies, teacher loans, promotions and transfers will be discussed at the meeting, and that the authorities have forgotten that most of the teachers and principals will be on examination duty.
Attempts made to contact Ms Chandrawathie, failed, while the Balapitiya Zonal Education Director G.A. Dilip Kumara said that the discussion is a mobile service about teacher concerns, and that all have been informed.
He said that no politicians will be involved, except for SP Education Minister Chandima Rasaputra, the Education Secretary and Education Directors of the WP participating in the meetings.
- Ethkandure Janath de Silva