Ignoring Staff Strike, Government Paralysis University System, Wasting Millions of Man-Days- Prof. Kennedy [VIDEO]

The government’s silence regarding the strike by non-academic university staff, who are demanding their legitimate rights, is highly suspicious. This indifference may be an attempt to promote private universities on the island and cause the closure of state universities. We urge the government: if you want private universities, you can have them but do not allow state universities to collapse. These remarks were made by Professor Kennedy D. Gunawardena during a recent press briefing at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Professor Gunawardena, a senior professor and executive council member of the University Teachers Association, explained the current situation. He analyzed the losses faced by the country and the entire higher education sector due to the government’s indifferent policy towards the non-academic staff’s trade union action. He emphasized that the strike affects 16,000 employees across 17 universities and 18 affiliated bodies. Considering an 8-hour workday over 20 days, the strike has resulted in a loss of 2.56 million man-days.

He warned that this disruption endangers students’ education, potentially causing frustration and leading some to abandon their studies altogether. Professor Gunawardena further explained that universities comprise more than just students and lecturers; they include vital infrastructure such as laboratories, research facilities, and lecture halls, all of which are now non-functional, bringing higher education to a standstill.

Professor Gunawardena appealed to authorities, political parties, the clergy, and other concerned parties to work towards resolving this serious issue and restoring the universities to full operation.