The Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, yesterday advised the teacher trade unionists to uphold the interests of students. Consequently, the Supreme Court would oblige them by finding a reasonable solution to their salary anomaly problem, they were told

The Court gave the teacher associations one week’s time to discuss their difficulties with Lalith Weeratunga, the Secretary to the President and the Secretary to the Ministry of Education.

The teachers are to come to Court next Monday and inform Court through the Secretary of Education of what transpired at the discussions. The teacher unions were told to apply for marking of AL/OL papers through their respective principals.

The Commissioner General of Examinations Anura Edirisinghe is to arrange for paper evaluation after 1.00 p.m. without interrupting school work.

In this case, a parent S. Bandara of Ratmalana had complained to Court of a likely delay in the marking of papers, due to a dispute between the teachers and the Ministry of Education. The representatives of the teacher unions told Court that they would oblige and apply for marking and will not strike.

The Bench comprised the Chief Justice Sarath N Silva, Justice Shirani Tilakawardene and Justice N. G. Amaratunga.

Senior State Counsel Mr. Bhari told Court that the Salaries and Cadres Commission had submitted the revised salary structure to the President. They were being considered, he said.