News
SLEAS Union protests irregular appointment to EP Education Ministry
View(s):The Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service (SLEAS) Union of the Eastern Province (EP) said that the appointment of a member of the Eastern Provincial Council Public Service Commission (PCPSC), as Acting Secretary to the EP Education Ministry, is at odds with the purpose of the appointment.
EP SLEAS Union, General Secretary, A.L.M. Mukthar said that PCPSC Secretary, W.G. Dissanayake’s dual appointment as Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Education- Sports, Cultural & Youth Affairs, will create a conflict of interest when making decisions within the PSPSC.
Mr Mukthar said that the PCPSC is an independent body, and its members are expected to be devoid of influence when making decisions on complaints, unfair transfers, undue appointments and disciplinary action of teachers.
He said that the dual position will create a conflict of interest that could be detrimental to the teachers in the EP. “It is like the suspect sitting at the judgment table,” he said.
It is also learnt that Mr Dissanayake’s appointment has been made, bypassing three Super Grade Tamil-speaking officers who are eligible for the post. Further it is understood that only an SLEAS Super Grade officer can be Ministry Secretary, whereas Mr Dissanayake is only an SLEAS Class I officer
Mr Mukthar further said that, of the 1,042 schools in the EP, 800 schools are Tamil medium schools with over 21,000 Tamil-speaking teachers. “This is violation of their fundamental rights, as they deserve the right to have a Tamil-speaking Secretary to address their grievances to,” he said. “This is not ethical,” he added. – Chrishanthi Christopher