Representatives of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU), the Ceylon Teachers’ Service Union (CTSU), and other teachers’ and principals’ trade unions as well as those representing trade unions within the sectors of electricity, ports, railways, health, water supply and drainage, management services, estates, transport, and telecommunications, took part in the satyagraha which was held in front of the Independence Square, Colombo 7, yesterday. Speaking to the media during the satyagraha, CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that it is a very positive development that trade unions affiliated to other sectors had also joined the teachers and principals struggle to win their demands in this manner. He added that if the Government continues to delay resolving their issues, it is planned to launch more trade union actions in the future. The trade unions have also planned to hold discussions with political parties represented in the Parliament and to initiate a campaign to obtain signatures for a public petition. In addition to the aforesaid trade union actions, teachers and principals had organised protests all over the country to force the Government to look into their issues urgently.

Source: The Nation August 12, 2021 18:22 UTC