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| Massive crowds attend FUTA rally despite rain : strike continues -51 days completed |
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 (Lanka-e-News -24.Aug.2012, 7.00PM) The President of the University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) , Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri addressing the massive crowds that participated in the rally held in Colombo yesterday (23) , said , safeguarding does not mean increasing the number of Ministers of the Govt. , it is rather protecting and promoting the State education and Free education. Speaking further , he said , the free education struggle that was begun will be entrusted from yesterday to the people , and will be a public campaign.
Large crowds over a ten thousand thronged the Hyde park , the venue of the meeting despite the showers. The University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) are on strike for the last 51 days even without salaries. This rally organized with two main objectives – to safeguard the State Universities and to ensure that a 6% of the National income is set aside for education drew milling crowds, including the participation of many trade unions, civil Organizations , opposition parties who attended it to demonstrate their solidarity with the campaign. Such large crowds for a rally was not witnessed in Colombo in the recent past. The unexpected crowds caused traffic snarls .
These large crowds were due to the entire country’s attention and concern being drawn to the absolute muddling of the education system by the Govt. and its buffalo Ministers . Parents and students are utterly disappointed and dismayed over the Z score bungling which had denied the University entrants their opportunities to enter Universities , in addition to the other serious issues plaguing the current education system of the country , the architects of which are none other than the Govt. and its two Education Ministers who have all along proved they are incompetent to resolve the students and Teachers’ issues , and their places are rightfully where they came from – two bullocks leading one of the many Ministerial double bullock carts of the Govt. It was natural therefore for the people who truly love the country unlike these buffalo Ministers to brave even the inclement weather and attend the protest rally in unprecedented numbers.
Dr. Mahim Mendis , media spokesman for the University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) addressing a media briefing prior to the rally , said, these University Doctors who had qualified in the most reputed Universities in the world can get appointments to lecture anywhere universally , yet they have preferred to return to SL , because of their love for the motherland. Hence, they ought not to be duped by these deceitful ravenous rulers.
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Large crowds arrived at the venue of the meeting in processions from three directions . Processions with the participation of the University academics and public starting from Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha , termed by MaRa as Nelum Pokuna Mawatha; from Slave Island and from near Maradana bridge converging at the Hyde Park venue were a special feature . Enthusiastic parents carrying banners praising the University Doctors for campaigning on behalf of their children’s free education was also a most significant factor.
The Chief incumbent of the Naga Vihara, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, Dr. Dambara Amila Thero along with a number of Buddhist Prelates participated in the rally . |
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