Teacher unions today staged a protest in Fort Colombo after reporting sick leave at their schools.
The teachers and principals’ protest in Colombo fort has caused heavy traffic in Colombo Fort.
Island wide, teachers reported sick leave and protested over the salary anomalies issue.
The school activities were heavily affected as the teachers took trade union action calling the government to resolve salary anomalies.
Students were forced to return to their houses as some schools remained closed and teachers were not present at classrooms.
However the scenario in front of the fort railway station was different as thousands of teachers gathered there.
A large number of police officers were deployed along with police vehicles which were mounted with water cannons. The water cannons and tear gas were used near lotus road to control the gathered crowds.
The General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Association, Joseph Starlin said that the 1026 schools are fully closed. He said that the "Ranil – Rajapaksa" government has told them to wait until next year to get their salary anomaly issue resolved.
He warned that if the government does not take heed of their demands and immediately take the required action they would resort to stronger action.
“If government fails to take action, all the unions would discuss and notify of the next union actions,” he said
The Fort magistrate courts too have issued an order to the teacher unions on the request of the Slave island police.
The police media Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa told the Times Online that the court order was issued for Joseph Starlin and ten other unionists as well as union members.
According to the court order the protesters cannot damage state property, and enter and obstruct Bristol Street, ceramic junction, Lotus road and D.R Wijeawardene Mawatha area and Galle road and try to illegally enter presidential secretariat, ministry of finance buildings.
Police added that the few representatives of the unions could obtain approval and hand over Sandeshaya (written message) to the presidential secretariat.
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