PM -teacher trade union talks fail, boycott of online classes to continue

Talks between the Teacher trade unions and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha to resolve an issue on the teacher salaries have failed and the boycott of online classes is to continue.

Ceylon Teachers Trade (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin after the meeting with the Prime minister at the Temple Trees said that the the talks ended without a conclusion and therefore they would continue their protest.

State Minister Susil Premjayantha told reporters that the outcome of the discussion will be conveyed to the cabinet next Monday and a decision will be taken.

However,  earlier in the day Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told journalists that the demands of the teachers cannot be met immediately due to the adverse financial position of the government and it will have to be considered at the next budget.

But, teacher unions say that it appeared that the government was dragging its feet without providing solutions to the issues of the teachers.

Meanwhile, the protests campaigns by teachers in various towns has sparked off a new health concern.

Public Health Inspectors union President Upul Rohana said that their protests in public locations were causing health concerns and was giving out a bad message to the public.

This was after a string of protests were held during the past few days during which large gatherings were seen in close proximity.

Images from today's meeting between government representatives and teacher unions: