300 'Performing' Principals...

Students of Sri Sumangala MV Radampola, Matara held an awareness campaign on the ill-effects of alcohol and tobacco. The students displayed banners and posters as part of their campaign held last Monday. Pix by P.D. De Silva

Stalin said this was highly unnecessary, as the 3,853 Principals who were given appointment letters, have sat the relevant exams and qualified for the post. “There is no precedence in this move and the Government is only trying to buy time,” he said.

"A subcommittee headed by the Prime Minister has been appointed to examine on how best the 'P'Ps could be absorbed into the mainstream," he said.

Mr. Stalin said that, according to a Cabinet paper signed in 2011 (one of the signatories being President Maithripala Sirisena, then Health Minister) it was decided to refrain from absorbing 'P'Ps into the mainstream.

The last time the Education Ministry absorbed 'P'Ps into the mainstream was in 2010. Around 2,118 'P'Ps with over 3-years service, were absorbed into the supernumerary cadre. A case (SC-FR 640/2012) filed against this decision with the Supreme Court is to be taken up on January 10, 2017.

“If this continues, we will launch a massive protest on July 22 in Colombo. All Principals not given their postings will gather on that day for the protest,” he said.

However, Ministry officials said they were still looking into the matter, but no decision has been taken as yet.