Make Political Victimisation Report public: CTU

The Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) called on the government to make public the Political Victimisation Report handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena last week.

CTU General Secretary, Joseph Stalin said that the Po l i t i c a l Vi c t i m i s at i o n Committee had handed over the report to President Sirisena on 21 November, but nothing had been heard of it so far. He said the CTU will not allow the committee report to be swept under the carpet but will continue to demand that it be made public.

The committee, led by former education secretary Gotabaya Jayaratna, was appointed by President Sirisena following protests by education unions against a list of 2,011 names of Sri L a n k a E d u c at i o n Administrat ive Service ( SLEAS) officers to be considered for special promotions under a programme to remedy political victimisation.

Mr Stalin claimed several officers had falsely claimed that they have been politically victimised: "They come up with flimsy reasons, including a stone thrown at their homes." In the past, teachers and principals claiming political victimisation have been considered over legitimate officials awaiting promotions.

"We vehemently condemn any moves to give out appointments for those who are considered political victims by the government," Mr Stalin added.