Lecturers at state universities will stage protests during the lunch break today (2), demanding solutions to long-standing issues affecting the university system.

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) stated that lecturers from all state universities will join the protest.

FUTA Secretary Senior Lecturer Charudaththe Illangasinghe stated that further trade union action will be launched next week if the government fails to address their concerns.

He noted that nearly 1,000 lecturers have left the state university system in recent years, while annual student admissions have increased from around 25,000 in 2015 to about 45,000 today.

FUTA warned that the protests could be intensified until lasting solutions are provided.