The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has warned that it would launch trade union action if punitive action is not taken against UPFA Wayamba Provincial Council member Ananda Sarath Kumara for forcing a female teacher, at Navagaththegama Maha Vidyalaya to kneel down in her class for reprimanding his daughter.

CTU Secretary Joseph Stalin alleged that the failure on the part of the SLFP-led ruling coalition to take tangible action against those responsible for various offences had influenced and encouraged indiscipline among ruling party politicians.

The politician, an SLFPer in the Wayamba PC, reacted angrily over the teacher admonishing his daughter for wearing a short frock.

Stalin emphasized that the UPFA member’s action was meant to terrorise teachers. The trade unionist alleged that the government was responsible for the rapid deterioration of law and order, with its provincial councillors and local government members violating the law with impunity.

Stalin said that subsequent to the incident at the school, last Friday (June 14), a gang of persons on motorcycles had surrounded the teacher’s residence in the night to intimidate her.Having brought the incidents to the notice of the Wayamba Governor as well as the Chief Minister, Stalin urged the government to ensure the safety and security of the teacher. The CTU alleged that the harassment of a teacher was even worse than minister Mervyn Silva tying up a Samurdhi animator to a tree for failing to turn up for a dengue eradication programme some time ago.

The Ceylon Teachers’ Service Union (CTSU), affiliated to the JVP, yesterday lambasted the government over what it called the latest high handed action by a ruling party politician.

Acting on a complaint received by the teacher, the police produced the Provincial Councillor before Puttalam Acting Magistrate Mohamed Iqbal who remanded him till June 18.

The police arrested the politician at Adigama in the Anamaduwa police area on Saturday, while he was travelling towards Chilaw. (By Shamindra Ferdinando)

Source: The Islands (Sri Lanka)