In Pictures: Teacher strike cripples schools

The trade union action launched by principals and teachers greatly impacted education activities in the country today.  

Many teachers and principals were absent from schools today and parents who had dropped students off at schools in the morning were seen collecting them soon after it became clear that there weren't enough teachers present. While some schools were completely closed, some schools where teachers were present were working as normal. 

Several trade unions representing teachers, principals and school administration officers conducted a sick leave campaign today in protest against the government's move to give appointments in the education field to victims who had allegedly been subject to political victimisation under the previous regime. 

The unions claim the government is trying to give appointments to its loyalists in the guise of giving appointments to victims of political revenge.

Following are pictures from schools in Puttalam, Anamaduwa and Matara:

Pix by Hiran Priyanakara Jayasinghe and Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk  

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