by Melani Manel Perera

Thousands of people are joining a new protest by the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA). The latter's strike is already in its third month. Religious leaders urge government and teachers to focus on students, the country's "most precious resource."

Colombo (AsiaNews) - A four-day march (24-28 September) begins today. Thousands of professors and students are set to leave Galle Fort (southern Sri Lanka) for Colombo to demand changes to post-secondary education.

Organised by Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA), the event is the latest episode in a tug-of-war between the government and professors that has left Sri Lankan universities in disarray.

The country's main religious leaders have added their voice to the debate, signing a joint statement in which they call on all the parties to "focus our greatest attention on the university student community," not on differences, because students "are the most precious resource of our country." Card Malcolm Ranjith, archbishop of Colombo, was one of the signatories.

FUTA's protest began back in April, when it officially called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and on the Education minister to invest 6 per cent of GDP in education. This would go for higher wages and guarantee university independence from political interference. The government did not reply to the demands, so on 4 July, university professors went on strike, which continues.

The government has responded to the ongoing strike by temporarily shutting down all universities (except for faculties of medicine). In making that decision, the authorities blamed professors of jeopardising students' future. However, instead of isolating professors, it boosted support as students, activists and civil society groups joined the former in their fight.

In their joint statement, religious leaders reminded the government and professors of their "prime responsibility," which is "to ensure that the future generations are provided the opportunities to go forward without any hindrance."

Whilst acknowledging that problems may arise from time to time in a democratic country, "destroying totally the aspirations of young university students, who are there to take over the future of the country, is something which will give rise to frightening results in the future."

• sri
• lanka
• professor
• university
• strike