Universities open after workers' strike

[TamilNet, Monday, 27 September 2004, 18:37 GMT]
Sri Lanka universities opened Monday after a month long closure due to the strike by non-academic staff. The non-academic staff struck work from 1st September demanding the University authorities to rectify salary anomalies. The strike was called off Friday following an agreement reached at a discussion between the delegation of the Inter University Trade Union Committee and a ministerial committee, sources said.

The Sri Lanka Governmen agreed to issue a new circular before December 15 on the changes in non-academic staff salaries rectifying any anomalies.

It has also been agreed to implement the new salary structure and backdate it from January 2004, education sources said.

The government also agreed to allocate five million rupees to grant interim allowances to non-academic staff until the salary anomalies were removed, sources said.

Meanwhile, Professor Ranjit Mendis, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) decided to hold a briefing with all vice chancellors to ensure smooth re-opening of all universities and to hold examinations postponed due to strike.

In the meantime, East University, which is located in Batticaloa district, is to recommence its academic activities from September 29th, Registrar Mr.A.D.Harris said.