The Bill is reportedly due to be taken up for vote in Parliament on 6 August. Speaking to The Morning yesterday, FUTA Secretary Rohan Laksiri said that protests will be held within the next few days in Kurunegala, Kandy, Matara, and Jaffna, while a larger protest is planned for 5 August, in front of the Parliament Roundabout. If it is presented to the Parliament on 6 August, we will take harsher trade union action,” warned Laksiri. All university academic staff participated in collective strike action yesterday by refraining from engaging in online teaching activities, so as to demand that the Government withdraw the KNDU Bill immediately. The KNDU Bill has come under widespread criticism from various quarters for the alleged threat it poses to free education, and owing to the militarisation of education that will take place if it goes through in its present form.

Source: The Nation July 28, 2021 17:37 UTC