Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Royal College teacher on roof-top protest

- BY OLINDHI JAYASUNDER­E

A Royal College teacher climbed to the roof of a school building last morning in protest over an Education Ministry-ordered transfer, which she claimed was illegal and unfair.

Sinhala Language Grade-10 teacher Kalyani Dissanayak­e, who has served the Colom-

Ms. Dissanayak­e and four other teachers were transferre­d to Anula Viydalaya in January this year. She objected to her transfer saying it was not in keeping with the provisions of the National Transfer Policy

bo school for eight years had refused to climb down until her transfer order was cancelled. Students and teachers who gathered at the foot of the school building placed a mattress for her safety.

Ms. Dissanayak­e and four other teachers were transferre­d to Anula Vidyalaya in January this year. She objected to her transfer saying it was not in keeping with the provisions of the National Transfer Policy. Sources said the group of teachers had made a compliant to the Education Ministry and the Public Service Commission and subsequent­ly an inquiry was carried out with regard to the transfers. However, the commission requested Ms. Dissanayak­e to appear before the commission on July 17 to make a statement but on the same day she had received yet another transfer to Isipathana College.

“She is distressed because they gave her another transfer before the first inquiry was completed. She wants to remain at Royal College and refuses to be transferre­d unless the National Transfer Board requests her to do so,” the source said adding that the transfer was made by Education Secretary Gotabhaya Jayaratne. Some sources claimed that she was being transferre­d because she had made complaints against the school principal and revealed corrupt activities in the school administra­tion.

 ??  ?? The protesting Royal College teacher seen seated on the roof ledge of one of the main school buildings. (Inset) - Students seen placing a mattress underneath for her safety. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
The protesting Royal College teacher seen seated on the roof ledge of one of the main school buildings. (Inset) - Students seen placing a mattress underneath for her safety. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

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