CTU warns legal action

Attempt to give illegal service extensions

By Rathindra Kuruwita

President of the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) Priyantha Fernando yesterday alleged that there is an attempt to extend the service of 38 senior officers of the education administration service.Fernando said that these officers were over 60. He arned that CTU would take legal action if they were given a service extension.

“Right now, there are about 100 Grade One education administration service officers. 38 are to reach retirement age within the next year. Among them are a top official at the Department of Exams and six provincial education directors. There are some who claim that the education sector will collapse if these officers retire,” he said.

Fernando said that among the 38 are people who got promotions as compensation for alleged instances of political victimisation.

“We must give younger officers a chance. There are a lot of talented individuals at the education administration service. The Ministry of Education must issue a gazette to hold exams and fill the vacancies, However, they have not done this. There is an attempt to give these officers a service extension. This is unjustified and we will take legal action at the Supreme Court,” he said.President of the CTU said that the government had recently reduced the age of retirement to 60 and already a number of officials have retired.

“This law should be applicable to all. Some officials think they are above the law because they have friends in high places. But everyone is equal before the law. Some powerful unions are trying to scare people by saying that the country will collapse if people older than 60 retire. They forget that there are a lot of young people who are ready to prove their worth,” he said.