Here is a press release issued by Samagi Jana Balawegaya Matale District Parliamentarian Rohini Kaviratne.
Press Release
2/3 Arrears of Teachers and Principals
On December 1, 2020, I first raised the issue of the arrears of teachers, principals, and other education professionals in Parliament. With the participation of several teachers’ unions, including the Kandy-Colombo march, it was possible to turn it into a victorious 120-day struggle. As a result, 1/3 of the arrears were won. We have fought for five consecutive days inside and outside Parliament to secure the remaining 2/3 of teachers’ salary arrears. These arrears must be paid to teachers, principals, and all other affected parties unconditionally.
By now, you are aware of the response given by Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe regarding the teachers’ arrears.
“To obtain two-thirds of these arrears, one must undergo a rigorous professional review (meaning this needs to be filtered) and a competitive examination” (implying that teachers and others are indirectly being told that the salary disparity in these two-thirds is not due to a lack of qualified people. If there are no qualified individuals, then there is no disparity!).
I strongly condemn this insulting and deceitful statement by Mahinda Jayasinghe regarding the 2/3 arrears, which is a professional right of all teachers. It is very clear that the government is shamefully failing to pay the remaining 2/3. The group led by Mahinda Jayasinghe did not initially join the fight to obtain the arrears of teachers’ salaries in 2021. You are well aware that they even attempted to sabotage the protest march.
Today, the Ministry of Education is being led by Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has always shared my stance on education, but today, a different approach is being implemented—one that enforces the 2/3 non-payment policy. Furthermore, the Leader of the Opposition and I have been targeting each other with statements like, “They talk about the salary disparity, but they don’t know a thing.”
Teachers, principals, and education professionals clearly understand what the 2/3 salary arrears entail. I now urge them to discuss this issue with the trade union leader, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe, and demand their rightful dues.
In response to my presentation in Parliament on this matter, Mahinda Jayasinghe replied with the statement, “Today, what you have suffered is the fate of the dogs who hit the stone.”
I am the only public representative of the opposition in the Matale district. I have been entrusted with national responsibilities in education and several other sectors, and I have fulfilled them diligently. I have no interest in lowering myself to his level. Unlike him, I was a teacher who truly educated children until the 2015 general election—not a nominal teacher who merely collects a salary under the cover of trade unions.
Education workers, you overwhelmingly voted for the current government. Your struggle for fair wages must be resolved by the very government you placed in power. I wish you all strength and courage in this fight. You will always have my support in your battle to win your rightful salary arrears.
Rohini Kaviratne
Matale District Member of Parliament
