NorthEast graduate trainees suspend protest campaign

[TamilNet, Friday, 16 September 2005, 02:42 GMT]
Graduate trainees holding demonstrations in front of education offices in Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Batticaloa and Trincomalee since Monday demanding permanent appointments Thursday evening decided to call off their protest from Friday following an assurance by Mr.R.Thiakalingam, Secretary North East Provincial Education Ministry, that he would attend to their grievances urgently, sources said.

Representatives of protesting graduate trainees along with officials of the Ceylon Tamil Teachers' Union (CTTU) Thursday morning held discussion with Mr.R.Thiakalingam at the latter's office regarding their demand. CTTU general secretary Mr.T.Mahasivam was also present at the discussion, sources said.

Mr.Thiakalingam assured the delegation that he would take immediate steps to provide permanent appointments to all graduate trainees serving in northeast schools within a month-period. Mr.Thiakalingam also gave an undertaking to the delegation that he would ensure all appointments will be made not affecting their seniority in their teaching service, CTTU sources said.

Graduate trainees later decided to call off their protest temporarily for a month enabling the provincial education ministry secretary to keep his assurance, CTTU sources said.