Ceylon Teachers' Union’s (CTU) President Priyantha Fernando claimed that the teacher transfer process has become politicised in several Provinces, with politically influenced committees handling transfers in violation of the established policy framework.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (15), he said that transfers due under last year’s (2025) National School Teacher Transfer Programme have still not been completed. Such transfers should usually be finalised before the end of the year, he noted. "By now, the authorities should have already called for applications for this year’s (2026) transfer cycle. However, even the 2025 transfers have not been concluded," he said.

Fernando claimed that an irregular situation has also developed within the Provincial Councils, adding that the existing Circular 20/2007 clearly sets out the procedures that should govern teacher transfers. "This Circular is not being properly implemented in many Provinces. In some Provinces such as the North Central Province, transfers are being carried out through political interventions including those by the Governors."

Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa was not available for comment.