UNP joins FUTA and unions in protest march tomorrow
The Federation of Teachers Association (FUTA) is organis ing a protest march tomorrow (24) from Galle to Colombo demanding the Government look into the issues concerning higher education.
The main Opposition UNP will join the protest march, along with student unions, trade unions and other organizations, to show its strong objections to the current situation in the higher education sector.
In a media statement UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said the main reasons his party is joining the protest march is to demand the Government open the universities for studies and to start paper marking of the A/L papers which were on hold.
Meanwhile, a series of protests by university students took place around the country last Thursday condemning the arrest of Sanjeewa Bandara, convener of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF). Above 3,000 students took part in these protests at the Rajarata, Sabaragamuwa and Peradeniya Universities, by the students of the Ruhuna University in Galle town and at the Colombo Fort Railway Station, Chinthaka Rajapaksa, the acting convener of the federation told the Sunday Times.
Policemen in civvies arrested Sanjeewa Bandara as he was on his way from Colombo Fort to Sri Jayawardhanapura University after a satyagraha the IUSF launched last Tuesday.
Chinthaka Rajapaksa who was with him at the time the arrest was made told the Sunday Times the men who arrested Sanjeewa Bandara dragged him out of the bus they were travelling in and put him into a jeep marked ‘Slave Island Police’ on its sides. He further stated that this act was contrary to the manner in which a policeman should arrest an individual.
The police told the Sunday Times that the arrest was made by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) following a protest by the IUSF which took place on August 29 when the police claim a group of students led by its convener attacked and caused damages to police property. The police stated that they have caused damage estimated at Rs.70, 000 to police property.
However human rights activists question why the police didn’t take any action when the incident actually took place.
A media conference was held by the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) and Centre for Human Rights (CHR) last Thursday where the activists interpreted the arrest as an abduction made to sabotage FUTA trade union action.
CaFFE executive director Keerthi Tennakoon said the Government is trying to disrupt the rally which is to commence tomorrow.
The protest march which is to take place tomorrow is considered to be a major step by FUTA and other organizations towards providing a better education system for the country.
A woman who set a stray dog on fire was produced in court and released on bail on a personal bond of Rs. 50,000 and cash bail of Rs. 10,000. The woman is a resident of Dodangoda, Galle. The dog, which used to sleep in front of the woman’s house, was found four days later and taken to a dog care centre, where it died. It is understood that Marina Moebius, the owner of the dog care centre, had gone to the police to report the matter, but the OIC of the police station had refused to accept the complaint. An animal rights activist, Sagarika Rajakarunanayake, took follow-up action and spoke to retired Southern Range senior police officer DIG Lalith Jayasinghe, who gave instructions that the complaint be recorded.
Mrs. Rajakarunanayke told the Sunday Times that animal rights organisations intend to hold discussions with the Inspector General of Police, N. K. Illankoon, about safeguarding animals and implementing laws against animal cruelty.