• CTU slams politicisation of the sector 

A letter issued by the Tangalle Zonal Education Director S.D. Kalyani to school principals seeking explanations over teachers’ non-attendance at a recent meeting attended by the Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has drawn criticism, with allegations the move amounts to politicising the education sector.

The letter, dated 24 March, was issued by Kalyani to all principals in the Tangalle Education Zone. It refers to a teachers’ meeting held on 15 March at the Tangalle Town Hall, which was attended by the Premier.

Through the letter, principals have been instructed to provide explanations before today (26) for the non-attendance of teachers at the said meeting, in line with a notice previously issued by the Tangalle Zonal Education Office.

Reports circulated on social media in the recent past indicated there had been a notable lack of attendance of teachers at the said meeting.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) President Priyantha Fernando claimed that this move contradicted the National People's Power Government’s earlier pledge not to politicise the education sector. He alleged that the meeting in question was political in nature and had no relevance to the work of schools, teachers, or students. "State mechanisms had been used to organise this meeting. For instance, teachers and principals had been informed through official channels such as zonal education offices to attend the meeting. This meeting was political and unrelated to official duties. The authorities have no right to compel attendance or seek explanations for absence. The relevant Zonal Education Director should immediately withdraw this letter," he said.

Kalyani was not available for comment.

The Zonal Education Office of Tangalle has requested an explanation regarding the absence of teachers at a meeting held on 15 March at the Tangalle Urban Council, which was chaired by Dr. Amarasuriya. In this regard, Kalyani has sent a letter to all school principals. Accordingly, reasons for not attending the relevant meeting must be submitted before today.