Opposition leader MP Sajith Premadasa raised a question in Parliament today with regard to the salary issues faced by teachers and principals, which was the cause of continuous protests currently in the country.
MP Premadasa pointed out that in December 2020, Education Minister G.L. Peiris had promised that an interim allowance will be allocated for the teachers in Budget 2021 to resolve the issues pertaining to salary anomalies.
Minister Peiris had promised to provide an interim allowance for teachers and principals of the state sector, revealing that the Education Ministry had held discussions with the Treasury and had also obtained the necessary funds.
Citing Minister Peiris’ speech in 2020, the leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Premadasa informed Parliament today that Minister Peiris had lied to the Parliament at the time as the issue remains unresolved.
Responding to the Opposition leader, Education Minister G.L. Peiris said the situation of the economy in 2020 is different from that of the current economy due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The economic crisis due to the pandemic is not only affecting Sri Lanka, but is a world over crisis, and as a result, the Government was unable to fulfill what was promised in 2020,” he said.
Minister Peiris further assured that the Government has agreed to provide a solution to the teachers’ issue in the next budget. (NewsWire)