• CTSU won’t join the 12 Dec. strike led by CTU et al., to decide next steps per Edu. Min. actions  

The Ceylon Teachers’ Services Union (CTSU), which is affiliated with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) – the main constituent Party of the National People’s Power Government – has stated that it also supports the view that school hours should continue to be from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, CTSU President Dhammika Alahapperuma said that the Union had met with the Education Ministry officials including its Secretary and presented its proposal on the matter. “We are also of the view that the school time should be from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. We have informed the Ministry on several occasions of our position.”

When questioned about the Ministry’s statement that it would not be possible to change its decision to extend school hours, Alahapperuma said that what they had submitted was a proposal and that the Union would decide on its next steps depending on how the Ministry proceeds.

However, he also said the CTSU would not take part in the strike action organised by the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) and several other teachers’ unions on 12 December of this year against the Government’s decision to extend the school time by half an hour (to 2 p.m.).

The dispute between the Ministry and several teachers’ trade unions (TUs) arose after the Government decided to extend the school hours from January of next year (2026). The CTU has maintained that any education reform should be implemented within the existing school timetable, from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., in a way that fits the current structure. CTU President Priyantha Fernando told The Daily Morning earlier that the Union would launch a one-day strike on 12 December as the first step in its TU actions.

However, the Ministry has maintained that there will be no change to its decision to extend school hours until 2 p.m. starting from 2026. Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa told The Daily Morning last week that although TUs are free to share their views, the decision is final. “We can discuss the matter, but, we can’t change this decision. It is final.”