2ND LEAD

Sinhalese direct Tamil education in East

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 February 2010, 02:01 GMT]
After Rajapaksa was elected as Sri Lankan president for his second term, top ranking education officers of the Eastern Province are being replaced by Sinhalese, trade union sources of educational administrative officers of the Eastern Province said. "Ninety percent of schools in the eastern province disseminate education in Tamil medium. Ninety percent of the student and teacher population are also Tamil speaking. But it is sad to state the Eastern Provincial Education Ministry is headed by a Sinhalese Minister while a Sinhalese Secretary acts on the orders of the chauvinist elements in central government. These are engaged in ‘Sinhalicizing’ the ministry from top to bottom,” the Eastern Province Branch of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Officers’ Union (SLEAOU) said in a statement.

Eastern Province Branch of the SLEAOU wants a Tamil senior officer to be appointed as Secretary to Provincial Education Ministry immediately to safeguard the rights of Tamil medium students, teachers and officers. Political leaders irrespective of the party affiliation should ensure the rights of Tamil medium students, teachers and officers are safeguarded from the chauvinist elements, the sources added.

Following the presidential election, East Provincial Governor Rear Admiral (retd) Mohan Wijewickrema has transferred the Provincial Director of Education S.Thandayuthapany as a deputy secretary to the education ministry. Mr. M. T. M. Nizam has been appointed Provincial Director of Education. He earlier served as Zonal Director of Education in Kalmunai

One Mr. H. Herat, a Sinhalese has been appointed Additional Provincial Director of Education replacing a Tamil speaking Muslim M. K. M. Mansoor. He was demoted as the Zonal Director of Education in Chammanththu’rai.

Provincial Education Minister is Mr.Wimalaweera Dissanayake and Secretary is Upul Weerawardene. Both are Sinhalese.