Now, Mervyn wants to help solve dons’ problems

by Dasun Edirisinghe

Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva has offered to step in to help solve the university crisis and problems dons are faced with.

President of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri said that Minister Mervyn Silva had phoned  him yesterday morning expressing his desire to meet FUTA members at a meeting.

Dr. Devasiri said that though the purpose of the meeting was not mentioned, he had agreed to meet the minister.

Minister de Silva, when contacted for comment, said he had telephoned Dr. Devasiri and asked for an appointment to see FUTA members. He said he was keen to meet educated people and exchange views. "As the Minister of Public Relations and Public Affairs, I consider it my duty to listen to the university teachers whom I hold in very high esteem," the minister said, "perhaps there may be something I could help solve."

FUTA has been on a strike since July 04 in protest against the government’s delay to meet their demands, including allocation of 6 per cent of the GDP for education, consulting university teachers when decision are made on the higher education system and a pay hike.