FUTA's march, the ideal platform for bankrupt politicians

Last week’s protest march of university dons’ trade union, FUTA provided an ideal platform for Opposition politicians who have failed to woo the masses in successive elections. FUTA which initially began their strike demanding higher salaries later ‘borrowed’ an attractive slogan from the JVP – demand for a six percent of the country’s GDP for education.

Bankrupt Opposition politicians who have been rejected by people in toto at successive elections forcibly joined the FUTA protest march from Galle to Colombo. Some Opposition political party leaders such as Wickremabahu, who seem to be unable, even to gather a dozen supporters, were seen gatecrashing with a handful of their party men.

Most Opposition politicians told their friendly scribes and television goons beforehand, at which point and time they would join the FUTA protest march. The media men were ‘armed’ with their television and cameras when they joined the protest at pre-informed places. Interestingly, some television channels were more interested in taking voice cuts from these bankrupt politicians than the university lecturers or FUTA leaders.

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who was criticised in the media for not joining the start of the FUTA protest in Galle, later understood the big mileage he could gather to resurrect his political image. He too joined the protest when it was nearing Colombo, making strong demands that the Government should allocate more funds for education.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a single lecturer to tell Ranil that it was the 2001-2003 UNP Government under his leadership which pruned down the budgetary allocations for education. No FUTA member had the guts to tell Wickremesinghe the damage the UNP did for education whereas fund allocations per student has more than tripled since President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office in 2005.

The FUTA protest appeared to be a political goldmine for Sajith Premadasa, who has been daydreaming to grab UNP leadership and Sarath Fonseka who marched from grace to disgrace after his humiliating defeat at the 2010 presidential election. Sajith, as he does normally, used his presence at the FUTA protest march to artificially project that he is the most popular UNP leader.

Though Sajith even had his usual same team which whistles and cheers each time he comes on a political platform, Fonseka and Wickremabahu appeared to be isolated. On-the-spot reports said Wickremabahu, who tarnished Sri Lanka’s image at the UN Human Rights Council earlier this year, had only three supporters with him while Fonseka had only his security guards, that too provided by the Government as a former Army Commander.UNP parliamentarians Ravi Karunanayake, Rosy Senanayake and Sujeewa Senasinghe were among the other Opposition politicians who had their walks to suit the television cameras. A particular television channel, notorious for indirectly supporting the LTTE until the terror outfit was defeated, almost ‘lived’ on the FUTA protest when compiling their news bulletins.

JVP, who has been facing severe political erosion since it broke into three factions, was smart enough to show their presence felt. Since the JVP has been unable to prove their political presence felt by way of votes polled at elections, all what they do now is to show their might through protest marches and trade union action by deploying the identical set of youth.

The JVP did not have much say in the Inter University Student Federation, better known as Anthare, protest march that proceeded from Kandy to Colombo in support of the dons. It was the JVP’s second breakaway group – The Peratugaami (Progressive Front), which secured control of the student protest from Kandy.

In contrast to the FUTA protest march, the Peratugaami student leaders holding power at Anthare, were clever enough not to entertain any of the opportunist politicians in the Opposition in their protest march, not even the JVP leaders. Hence, JVP parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake was seen taking shelter at the FUTA protest to mark their political presence.

Dr. Gunaruwan, notable absentee

Senior Lecturer of the Colombo University and veteran economist, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan was a notable absentee. On principle, Dr. Gunaruwan, who has been a member of the Arts Faculty Teachers Association, has been voicing strongly against FUTA’s unreasonable demands. In his recent letter to FUTA, Dr. Gunaruwan pointed out that it is unreasonable to demand six percent of the GDP for education. The Government demonstrated its five-star democracy by allowing both the protest marchers to advance freely for several days, though those acts caused severe inconvenience to the public. The Colombo-Kandy Road and Colombo-Galle Road experienced severe traffic congestions. Though FUTA projected a huge picture, a significant number of university dons kept away.

Independent university lecturers

Most of the independent university lecturers, who only took part at the start of the FUTA protest from Galle, were furious to see the protest taking a political twist, accommodating several Opposition politicians who do not command public support. Most lecturers were disgusted to see Opposition politicians creeping in to gain political mileage. As a result, most independent lecturers, who joined the protest in Galle with a sincere dream of a salary hike, subsequently withdrew.

Opposition politicians were fighting among themselves to supply food packets to FUTA protesters and welcome the advancing dons. They kept their respective media units stand by to capture precious moments to gain political mileage. One wonders why dry ration was gifted to FUTA members by some Opposition politicians.

However, there was severe public anger towards lecturers who are keeping away from marking Advanced Level answer sheets, risking the future of the next generation. Some FUTA leaders are under an illusion that they have massive support, going by the number of lunch packets they get and garlands they receive. But the truth is that parents of students and the majority of the public do not approve the action of the dons, risking the future of youth.

The FUTA protest march which was followed by a rally in Colombo was used as gathering points for anti-government elements and political parties while UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Karu Jayasuriya, Sajith Premadasa, Sarath Fonseka, JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe, Vijitha Herath and Wickremabahu Karunaratne were seen voicing for their political survival.

University Academics condemn FUTA action

Meawnhile, the University Academics’ Association to Protect the Rights of Children condemning the FUTA action said this could lead to the destruction of the university education system.

Addressing the media at the Sri Lanka Library Services Board, university academics said the university lectures’ protest is fully politicized and their demands impracticable. Sri Lanka Open University, Mathematics and Engineering Department lecturer Nimsiri Jayasinghe said the demand for allocating six percent of the GDP to education is also not reasonable.

“Striking university academics show that some countries allocate more than six percent from the GDP to the education sector. These countries have low literacy rates. They allocate more funds for education to enhance the literacy rate. But, Sri Lanka is a country with a high literacy rate,” he said.

He said striking academics always highlight the government only allocates 1.8 percent from the GDP. “Education is provided by not only the Education Ministry. There are many other education institutes running under various ministries, such as, Technical Colleges, Nursing Schools, and defence university. So altogether the government allocates 4.8 percent from the GDP to the education sector.

“All university academics have a responsibility to support the government using their knowledge without demanding money from it.

They can do researches and invent new sources of development.” he said. The lecturer said it is unfair for university academics to ask salary increments as they get a good salary compared to other vocations. Peradeniya University Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Shantha Hennayake said the responsibility of a trade union is to protect employment and the institution. But FUTA is different and it tries to destroy the country’s university system.

SB appeals to Dons

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake yesterday appealed to the university teachers on strike and requested them to report for work by next week. He assured that lecturers who report to work by Tuesday will be paid all arrears. The Minister said the Government is always ready for cordial discussions with university academics, resorting to trade union action to avoid university students being victimized. He said academic staff salaries have been increased a great deal from time to time within a short period disregarding the salaries of parallel services.

“The academic staff have already received a portion of the salary increment but the final stage of the increment will be implemented from October 1, this year.

The salaries of university academic staff will be increased by around 70 percent,” he said.“The highest salary increment will be 83.61 percent and the least increment will be 39.12 percent,” the minister said. “Accordingly, the all inclusive salary of a senior professor will be Rs 172,227.75 per month from October 1 representing an increment of 83.61 percent.

Minister Dissanayake said the salary increment of university academic staffers have resulted in a severe imbalance of State services salaries. However, the government took this step to increase the salaries of university academic staff parallel to the ongoing university system restructuring process aiming to convert Sri Lanka as the knowledge hub of Asia and upgrade all State universities as world class universities. “Besides, the Higher Education Ministry is pro-actively accepting responsibility for our own graduates and 100 percent employable graduates. Moves have been taken to create a professional graduate qualified in professional courses such as CIMA, Chartered, CIM, leadership qualities, ICT and English. Moreover, the graduate will be converted to an enterprising graduate, who creates employment opportunities than a mere job seeker,” Minister Dissanayake said.

The minister said the government has taken steps to drastically increase the other benefits and allocations of the university academics.

The paper marking allowance has been increased by 500 percent while the visiting lecture allowance has been increased by 300 percent. Housing loans have been increased from Rs 500,000 to Rs. one million.Speaking on the main demand of the academics for a 6 percent allocation from the GDP for the education sector, the minister said the government allocates a significant amount for higher education through various Ministries and projects.

Even though it is difficult to calculate the total allocation for education it has been roughly estimated that the government allocates 4.5 percent of the GDP for education. It is significant that this allocation is increasing gradually except in the two years ruled by the UNP government.

The allocation for higher education in 2000 was Rs. 5.4 billion and in 2005 it was Rs 10.9 billion. The allocation in 2010 was Rs. 19.32 billion while in 2012 the government has allocated Rs. 24.8 billion.

The minister speaking on the benefits of the university lecturers said they receive many benefits which are not received by any of the public servants. One year’s sabbatical leave is given for every seven years of service. A travel grant for the lecturers and spouses to any university in the world is offered.

President assures independence of Judiciary

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he stands for the independence and dignity of the Judiciary and strongly held to the principle that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done. On allegations relating to political interference in the Judiciary, the President said: “Lack of public faith in the Judiciary would be dangerous. Justice must not only be done but should be seen to be done. We have most cordial relations with the Judiciary and a recent meeting we had with some principal personnel in the Judiciary was on routine matters. We will never ask for changes in the Judiciary.”

Addressing media heads at his monthly breakfast meeting at Temple Trees, the President said the UPFA’s significant triumph in the recent Eastern Provincial Council poll, indicates the trust and confidence all communities of Sri Lanka repose in the government.

He said although facing grave hardships as a result of the widespread drought, the voters of the provinces have retained their confidence in the government and this was brought out in the election results to the three Provincial Councils which went to polls recently.“Besides, the Sinhala community, the Muslim and Tamil communities voted strongly for us particularly in the East,” the President pointed out.

The number of Muslim Councillors elected to the Eastern PC on the UPFA ticket, match within number those Muslim Councillors elected to the PC on the SLMC ticket, for instance, he said. The President explained in answer to a question that the UPFA represents a wide range of political opinion, including that of a hard line nature. “There are so-called hard liners even in my Cabinet who at one time did not speak of me in complimentary ways, but they all accept the Mahinda Chinthana now and are as a result accommodated within the UPFA.

Our policy is that anyone who accepts the Mahinda Chinthana can join the government, even the TNA. As you know, anyone is free to come or go,” the President said.

The President responding to a question said a Bill to amend the election law relating to the conduct of Local Government polls, so as to do away with the preferential vote and introduce other reforms, would be brought to Parliament early in October.

The recent visit to India was conducted on a most cordial note with Indian leaders and Sri Lanka’s decades-long ties with India were renewed. The Lankan travel advisory to Tamil Nadu will be constantly reviewed and done away with if the ground situation permits it, the President explained.

President at Sri Maha Bodhi

President Mahinda Rajapaksa participated in special religious observances at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweli Seya in Anuradhapura on Wednesday in memory of Prime Ministers S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and Sirimavo Bandaranaike and other former SLFP stalwarts including Ministers Maithripala Senanayake and K B Ratnayake.

The religious observances were conducted by Atamasthanadhipathi Ven Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayake Thera and Ven Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, said a communique issued by the President’s Media Division.

Ven Pallegama Hemarathana Thera delivering an anusasana said Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike spearheaded the establishment of the SLFP while Sirimavo Bandaranaike as the world’s first woman Prime Minister, made a great contribution towards carrying forward the party to greater height. Maithripala Senanayake and K B Ratnayake were great sons of Rajarata who rendered a great service to the SLFP and the country in general, the Thera said.

President Rajapaksa has proved his sense of gratitude by participating in religious observances to commemorate those past political leaders, he said. It is a blessing of the country to be governed by a leader in the calibre of President Rajapaksa who had great qualities of humanism and gratitude, the Prelate said. “The greatest tribute we could pay Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike is to carry forward the policies enunciated by him. The President is committed towards doing it,” he said.Berty Premalal, a mature politician

The much-looked forward to North Central Province Chief Minister’s post was finally decided on Monday after S.M. Ranjith, who polled the highest number of preferential votes at the September 8 Provincial Council election was sworn in as NCP Chief Minister before President Rajapaksa.

When media heads questioned about the Chief Ministerial battle in the North Central, President Rajapaksa said former Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake is a mature politician who could courageously face any situation and would remain his friend. President Rajapaksa, in his tour of Anuradhapura, did not forget to visit the outgoing Chief Minister’s residence as he normally does when visiting the North Central Province.

President Rajapaksa, in his address to the newly elected Chief Ministers and Provincial Council Ministers, said that it was the last time that the Chief Ministerial posts are determined on higher number of preferential votes.

The President said it is the last and the final instance where the largest number of preferential votes polled by a member will be made a criterion to offer Chief Ministerial posts in the Provincial Councils.

Problems relating to preferential votes will not arise in the future as a decision has been made by the government to conduct elections to local and Provincial Councils on electorate and ward basis and steps are being taken to give effect to this decision, he said. The legislation to this effect is expected to be brought on October 10.

Political sagacity

The President’s political sagacity enabled the ruling UPFA to settle all disputes on Provincial Council appointments. Accordingly, the UPFA Nomination Board was entrusted with the task of settling all disputes, including Chief Ministerial portfolios.

Joining the President at Thursday’s breakfast meeting with the media heads, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the committee went by previous selection criteria and accordingly, Ranjith, brother of former Cabinet Minister S.M. Chandrasena was elected. Chandrasena stepped down from his portfolio to pave the way for his brother as the UPFA previously said members of the same family could not hold positions either in the Government or at Provincial Councils. The UPFA also settled its issues at the Eastern Provincial Council. Former Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan was appointed Presidential Advisor on Eastern Province Development.

He said the government has already implemented a massive development program in the Eastern Province and that there is no need to have doubts about the development process of the East.

“The Provincial Council which had been established recently will take up the new challenge of Eastern development,” Chandrakanthan said addressing a special press briefing. “The Tamil community does not need to have any doubt or fear about the newly appointed Provincial Council,” he said. There are 14 Muslim members, two Tamil members and six Sinhala members. This has been established with the collective effort of all the communities in the Eastern Province, the Presidential Advisor said.

“I have no political powers. But I’m always representing the Tamil and all other communities in the Eastern Province. I hope to do my best for the East,” he added. The media has to play a vital role in the development program and they have a great responsibility to remove hatred, anger and revenge from society’. The assistance of the media is very important to create a good image about Sri Lanka both locally and internationally, Chandrakanthan stated.

New PC members take oaths

The newly elected 64 representatives of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) of the North Central, Eastern and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils were sworn-in before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday.

S. M. Ranjith was sworn as the North Central Province Chief Minister. He obtained the highest number of preferential votes in the North Central Province. Mahipala Herath took oaths as the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Chief Minister before President Rajapaksa. UPFA Councillor Mohamed Najeeb Abdul Majeed was sworn-in as the new Chief Minister of the Eastern Province last week.

The newly appointed North Central Province Chief Minister S M Ranjith has set the trend for a new political culture in the province by getting his supporters to engage in religious observances rather than conduct victory parades to gloat over his victory, inconveniencing the people, Ven Naranpanawe Nandaratana Nayake Thera said.He said so delivering an anusasana at an Asheerwada Pooja Pinkama held by the new Chief Minister’s supporters at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura concurrent to his oath taking ceremony in Colombo.

The prelate said the new Chief Minister had displayed his political maturity and intelligence by ending the political culture where victors harassed and tormented the loser after elections and leading his supporters to celebrate victory in a calm and quiet manner giving pride of place for upholding moral and spiritual values.

The President said the present election system had given rise to many criticisms and allegations and people with suitability and qualifications are left out because a handful could be appointed as Chief Minister and Ministers due to constitutional limitations.

President Rajapaksa who noted that there was a difference in Parliament where all MPs could be appointed as ministers if one so desired, added these factors should be taken into focus in bringing constitutional amendments to ensure people’s welfare.

The President who called upon all elected members to dedicate themselves towards serving the people in earnest, said Provincial Council members would be appointed as monitoring MPs to monitor the services rendered to the people by the Councils.

The President who observed that preferential votes should not be a cause for revenge and rivalry with opponents or members of the same Party, requested the elected members of Provincial Councils to take this message to their supporters. He said the Police had been directed to take stern action against anyone trying to create any post election violence irrespective of position.