Heroic Colleagues of FUTA,
We have reached a
decisive stage of our historic struggle although with unprecedented threats to
our lives. Even at this stage, the State Media continues to undermine us with
vulgar and dangerous expressions. The university authorities behave as Fascists
as happened at the Open University yesterday (9th October 2012) in preventing
the FUTA EXCO Members from entering the campus to discuss the Special Letter
given by Dr. PB Jayasundera to Dr. Nirmal Devasiri.
This only shows how
effective the CVCD- FUTA Meeting held under the patronage of Minister Basil
Rajapakshe had been!!! Finally our FUTA members entered the Open University
defeating Authoritarian instructions issued by the VC/DVC and the Registrar of
OUSL as we at OUSL passionately defeat fascist actions!!!
While that remains the
ground reality we saw with our own eyes that the Special Statements issued by
the government two days ago towards resolution of our key demands are an insult
to the entire academic community, trade unions, political parties, as well as
the people. This is because the response to the KEY DEMAND OF 6% GDP is only a
quotation from MAHINDA CHINTHANA POLICY which has now brought the Education
allocation to 1.5% of the GDP for 2013.
Also we did not walk for
130 KM and later attended two funerals of IUSF student leaders to be reminded
by a corrupt and normless regime that they have already solved the 6% GDP
demand through this August 2012 Cabinet Memo referring to Mahinda Chinthana
Policy.
Furthermore, Salary
demands in line with 2008 Jiffrey-Malik Proposals addressed in 2011 are now to
be implemented through a five year Mid Term Framework commencing from 2013
Budget!!!
(a), (b) and (c) only
prove that the regime is in the habitual practice in underestimating the
intelligence of the people and in this case the ACADEMIA.
Also proving its Mala-fide
intentions, the FUTA activists in the Front Line of Action are labelled as LTTE
Terrorists and Conspirators as our collective capacity to struggle for justice
has inspired the entire trade union movement as well as the movement for
democracy.
However, we undoubtedly
remain honourable in the eyes of the people since the so called powerful regime
has exhausted its vulgar tactics in silencing us. If the LTTE remained, even
they wouldn’t have called us TERRORISTS!!!
Colleagues, as you know
the mass media manipulated by the government has made an announcement that
there will be a Joint Press Conference with FUTA tomorrow to announce the great
achievement of a magnanimous regime in solving our problems. But are we in a
jubilant mood concerning anything? Also have you been informed by the FUTA EXCO
that we are taking part in a Press Conference with the government.
Have we given our
blessings at FUTA EXCO level to any joint Press Statement? As it is, the whole
country has been told today about ending of the Trade Union action tomorrow
while the FUTA EXCO members are still traveling to Colombo all the way from
Jaffna and other far away places to convey their official positions.
All I know is that the
members are disillusioned and angry about the manner in which our main demand
for 6% of the GDP has been addressed. As stated by me at the FUTA EXCO any form
of acceptance of the government position will only prevent us from facing the
people, including political parties and trade unions that stood by us.
Let me reiterate once
again that it is more honourable to suspend the strike and go back and serve
the students, rejecting the current letter on salaries issued by PBJ, resume
collective agitation for 6% GDP than attending a JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE
ORGANIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT to sing Hosannas to a FRIVOLOUS REGIME!!!
Wishing you great
strength to remain Honorable Men and Women!!!
Dr.Mahim-Mendis
Media Spokesman- FUTA
Media Spokesman- FUTA
Special Press Conference on Friday 12th October 2012
October
12, 2012
Dear Editors of National
Newspapers and Directors of Radio and Television Stations,
The
FUTA will be holding a Special Press Conference on Friday 12th October 2012 at
10.30am at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), Open University
of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda to explain the decision to call off the three
months old Trade Union Action with effect from tomorrow.
Let
me also thank you for your help and strength in the context of our historic
struggle in taking the message to the people that the government carries the
obligation to allocate financial provisions for education in line with the
UNESCO Benchmark of 6% and to ensure that universities are granted greater
autonomy and freedom for academics to maximize their professional potential.
We
also thank you for the manner in which you have resisted organized initiatives
of those with vested interests to suppress the truth concerning our grievances.
We
assure you of the support of the national academic community in your own
professional struggles to restore media freedom and the democratic right to
information.
Yours
faithfully,
Dr.
Mahim Mendis
FUTA Media Spokesman
FUTA Media Spokesman
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