Talks between president and Dons end inconclusively

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) says that a discussion is to be held on 3 June at the bureaucracy level to seek a solution for the demands of the university teachers.

The Chairman of the FUTA Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri said the discussion held with the President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday evening at the Temple Trees ended inconclusive and did not result in any agreement although the President had acknowledged their issues.

He said there was no positive response to the salary issue of the academics and the trade union action would be continued.  

The university lecturers last year demanded a salary hike and launched a token strike but called off after negotiations with the government. The FUTA said the government had agreed to grant a salary hike in 2008.  Meanwhile, media reports stated that the President had focused to solve the problem through dialogue and highlighted the need for a win-win situation. (www.colombopage.com)