In picturers: Islandwide protests on range of issues continue

Teacher trade unions and political parties are continuing their protest campaigns on a range of issues including a call on the government that it withdraws the proposed Kothalawala Defence University (KDU) Bill.

The JVP on Sunday (25) staged a protest in Pundaluoya  demanding the  withdrawal of the KDU Bill  while similar protests are due to be held in several places today (26) as well.

Protesters insisted that the right to free education be protected and that education should not be allowed to be privatised by the military.

The protestors also called the government to reduce increased fuel prices, bring down the cost of living and provide solutions to the farmers issues.

Among the latest issues included, is the government's decision that private mill owners could purchase paddy only at the certified prices thereby depriving farmers of fetching the best price for their paddy harvest.

Meanwhile, over 200 people participated in the protest by teachers and principals in Puttalam today (26) against salary anomalies and several other issues. 

JVP protest in Pundaluoya (Pix by G. Krishanthan)

Teache-Principal protest in Puttalam (Pix by Hiran Priyankara)