JVP condemns threats against FUTA chairman and family

The JVP yesterday condemned the incident in which the Chairman of the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri and his family members had been threatened.

The JVP Propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha Herath told a news conference that both academics and non-academics had resorted to trade union action on justifiable reasons and therefore, any covert and overt attempt to suppress their right could not be approved.

Mr. Herath said the academics among others, had demanded the rectification of their salary anomalies as promised by the government.

"The government promised to increase their salaries in four steps. Only the first step has been implemented. Also, they urged the government to increase the annual budgetary allocation for education to six per

The government promised to increase their salaries in four steps. Only the first step has been implemented.

cent from the Gross Domestic Product, from the present 1.86 per cent.

They asked the government to do it in a phased out manner. Instead of listening to such demands, the government appeared to be threatening those academics. It is unfair," he said.

Mr. Herath said a gang had gone to the residence of Dr. Devasisri in a white van and made inquiries about him and his daughter. "This is an infringement of public rights," he said. Also, he said that non-academics including those from the universities in the North and the South were planning to hold a massive protest march.