The Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) has warned of strong trade union action after talks with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya ended without resolving the ongoing crisis in the state university system.

FUTA Vice President Prof. Aruna Vanninayake said the association is currently consulting members on further union action, following demonstrations held outside university premises last week. 

He stressed that persistent difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified academics continue to undermine the system.

The meeting with the Prime Minister took place on Wednesday at the Education Ministry in Battaramulla, where FUTA representatives raised concerns over delayed student admissions, extended study periods, and the shortage of academic staff.

FUTA Secretary Charudatta Ilangasinghe said no agreements were reached, accusing the government of showing little interest in addressing the issues.

FUTA President Prof. Ruchika Fernando added that despite earlier agreements with the President and proposals submitted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Committee of Vice Chancellors to expedite admissions, the proposals had still not reached the Presidential Secretariat.

Prof. Fernando expressed surprise that such critical proposals had not been acted upon, noting that FUTA has been waiting nearly a year for government action. 

The association has signaled that unless urgent steps are taken, it will escalate its campaign with tougher trade union measures. (Newswire)

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The Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union announced that it has not extended support for the ongoing railway strike, stressing that all office trains scheduled for Colombo operated as planned today and continue to run without disruption.

Union Secretary Dimuthu Edirisinghe told the media that no train services were suspended due to a shortage of engine drivers. 

He explained that while a few services were temporarily halted owing to technical faults, drivers themselves worked to resolve the issues, ensuring operations remained normal.

“We want to make it clear to the public that there is no inconvenience. All trains are operating as normal, and commuters can use them for their travel,” Edirisinghe said.

He further dismissed the strike as “useless and unsuccessful,” claiming it was being carried out to serve the personal agendas of certain union leaders. (Newswire)

"කිසිම දුම්රියක් අවලංගු වුණේ නෑ…ධාවනය සාමාන්‍ය පරිදි" "වර්තමානයේ සිදුකළ අසාර්ථකම වර්ජනය මේක…" pic.twitter.com/f6atLCpwM9

— Ada Derana Sinhala (@adaderanasin) September 17, 2026

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Despite a 48‑hour strike launched by railway unions from midnight yesterday (16), the Railway Department confirmed that all office trains have begun journeys from their scheduled locations, ensuring services for commuters.

The strike, called in protest against the administrative actions of the General Manager of Railways, involves railway drivers, controllers, station masters, and several other unions.

It follows a disciplinary letter issued against Kasun Chamara Jayasekara, General Secretary of the Station Masters’ Association, which was later suspended by a directive from Asiri Karunawardena, Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.

The Railway Department’s Superintendent of Train Operations, Asanka Samarasinghe said that except for one train, all others are scheduled to run normally. The Railway Department also confirmed that services across all routes are being maintained despite union action.

Union leaders, however, insist the strike is necessary. Sumedha Somaratne, President of the Station Masters’ Association, said several trains were cancelled even before the strike began, inconveniencing passengers.

He accused the General Manager and executive officers of failing to prepare plans to secure revenue or provide facilities for commuters, adding that the majority of station masters have joined the strike. He stressed that the action is not politically motivated but aimed at strengthening the department.

Passengers at Fort railway station faced difficulties last evening when several train journeys were cancelled ahead of the strike.

According to the Railway Department, services have been scheduled as follows: 13 trains on the Coastal Line, 11 on the Puttalam Line, 15 on the Main and Northern Lines, and 7 on the Kelani Valley Line.

The unions have also demanded the removal of the current General Manager of Railways, with the strike expected to continue until midnight tomorrow (18). (Newswire)

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Six train journeys scheduled to operate tonight will be cancelled as a result of the nationwide train strike planned for tomorrow (17), according to reports.

Among the affected services are the 7.00 pm train from Colombo Fort to Batticaloa, the 8.00 pm train from Colombo Fort to Kankasanthurai, and the 9.30 pm night mail train to Batticaloa.

However, the Railway Department and transport authorities have not yet issued an official statement confirming the cancellations. (Newswire)

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The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) announced that university lecturers will launch a one‑day strike tomorrow (09) in protest against what they describe as a deepening crisis in the state university system.

FUTA Secretary, Charudatta Ilangasinghe, said the association had already engaged in trade union action throughout last week to highlight the severity of the situation. 

He pointed to a shortage of lecturers and lack of qualified staff, warning that the issue has reached a point where students who sat for the 2025 Advanced Level examination cannot be admitted to state universities.

Ilangasinghe noted that while the President has pledged to establish 50 new state universities, the immediate priority should be to safeguard the quality of the 17 existing institutions before expanding further.

He added that FUTA is prepared to hold discussions with authorities but stressed that a stable and lasting solution is urgently required to protect the integrity of higher education in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The Government Pharmacists’ Association has announced it will launch a one‑day trade union action on August 31, beginning at 8:00 am, in protest over issues surrounding their “additional service allowance.” 

The move follows a circular issued by the Health Secretary, which changed the official name of pharmacists’ overtime allowance to “additional service allowance.” 

The Association says the circular was later cancelled without valid justification, citing pressure from the medical service.

Association President Ajith P. Thilakaratne said authorities have yet to provide an acceptable solution, and warned that the strike will go ahead unless the circular is reinstated. 

He added that maternity and children’s hospitals, cancer hospitals, and mental health institutions will be exempted from the action on humanitarian grounds.

In other hospitals, special arrangements have been made to maintain emergency and essential services, with chief pharmacists coordinating with hospital directors to ensure continuity. 

Thilakaratne further noted that relevant parties have been informed to take necessary steps to minimize inconvenience to the public during the strike. (Newswire)

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Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) across the island today (21) reported sick leave in a symbolic strike, protesting the unilateral transfer of the senior‑most PHI attached to the Katunayake Airport Health Office.

The Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ Association said the decision was taken by its executive committee, which met on the night of August 19. 

General Secretary Chamila Muthukuda confirmed that the move was intended to highlight opposition to the transfer.

As part of the action, PHIs also withdrew from all dengue control duties nationwide from yesterday (20).

The Association has formally communicated its concerns to the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Media, urging intervention to resolve the issue. (Newswire)

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Strike action by Grama Niladharis is underway in several areas for the second consecutive day, with officers across the island reporting sick leave and refraining from duty.

The protest, launched yesterday (10), stems from long‑standing demands including the non‑increase of the Rs. 600 travel allowance, which has remained unchanged for eight years.

At a media briefing in Colombo on Sunday (09), Federation President Nandana Ranasinghe announced the decision, stressing that despite Cabinet approval in 2024 to provide an allowance equivalent to 20 liters of fuel, the benefit has not yet been implemented.

In response, Grama Niladharis began a two‑day trade union action by submitting sick leave and refusing to report for duty. Ranasinghe confirmed the action would be carried out island‑wide, affecting administrative services in multiple districts. (Newswire)

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Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa said post-internship doctors who fail to apply for public service appointments before 12:00 noon on Saturday (4) will not be recruited into the public service and will lose their current positions and salaries.

“If any doctor fails to apply before Saturday noon, they will not be able to join the government service. Their service at their current hospitals will end, and their salaries will be stopped,” he said.

The Minister made these comments in response to questions from journalists, over a token strike launched by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) which the minister criticised as unjustified and politically motivated.

“This strike is being carried out with full knowledge that it causes hardship to the public,” he said, adding that patients seeking treatment at outpatient departments (OPD) were being inconvenienced.

He further stressed that the deadline would not be extended under any circumstances.

“This list will not be extended by even one minute after 12:00 noon on Saturday,” he said.

The minister noted that doctors who miss the deadline may only be considered in a future intake, following the approval of the Public Service Commission. He said such applicatnts would be placed at the bottom of the list, below the next batch of around 1,300 applicants.

According to the minister, the application process is currently open for 453 doctors who have completed their internship, with appointments to be made.

He alleged that the GMOA was attempting to influence these doctors against applying.

“The process currently being carried out is inhumane and unfair. These doctors are being misled and intimidated,” he said, urging them not to be influenced by external pressure.

The minister also warned that any threats or intimidation against doctors would be investigated, including the Sri Lanka Police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

“If any group or individual has threatened or intimidated doctors, they should report it immediately. We will take action,” he said. (Newswire)

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Medical services across Sri Lanka faced disruption today (31) as doctors began a nationwide token strike at 8.00 a.m., protesting what they describe as illegal and arbitrary transfer decisions by the Health Ministry.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said the ministry had issued transfer lists for 2026, including post‑intern appointments and difficult service locations, without approval from the transfer board and outside accepted procedures.

The union alleged that the number of difficult service stations had been reduced from 393 to 265 without a scientific basis or stakeholder agreement, warning that the move could worsen shortages in rural hospitals.

It further claimed that the eligibility period to apply for transfers from difficult stations had been extended from one year to two years without proper consultation, creating unfair conditions for doctors currently serving in those areas.

According to the GMOA, the failure to update approved doctor cadre positions for nearly a decade has already led to severe shortages across hospitals, placing both patients and medical staff under pressure. 

The association also accused the ministry of assigning a large number of doctors to the “Arogya” project without approval from the Management Services Commission, despite shortages in many hospitals.

The GMOA warned that these decisions could lead to further disruption of healthcare services and greater inconvenience to patients, underscoring the urgent need for corrective action. (Newswire)

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Staff at Australia’s public broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), are striking for the first time in 20 years following an overwhelming vote for protected industrial action beginning on March 25. 

Issuing a statement, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said it stands in solidarity with its Australian affiliate, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), in calling on ABC management to ensure fair pay, secure work, and improved conditions that protect quality public-interest journalism.

The 24-hour strike action, beginning at 11 AM on March 25, follows the rejection of ABC management’s latest revision to the proposed enterprise agreement, with 60 per cent of staff voting against the offer that included limited improvements to job security but no increase to pay or key conditions, with a one-off $1,000 payment offered in lieu of a base salary increase. 

The rejected agreement proposed a 10 per cent total salary increase over three years, 3.5 per cent in the first year and 3.25 per cent in the subsequent two years, falling short of Australia’s annual inflation rate, which reached 3.8 per cent in January.

Following the rejection, close to 1,000 staff participated in a protected action ballot with over 90 per cent voting in favour of industrial action, with approved actions including unlimited stoppages of work with exemptions to ensure emergency broadcasting continues uninterrupted. Programming across television, radio, and digital platforms will all be significantly disrupted, with content replaced by the BBC World Service and repeats of previous programs.

The MEAA said that below-inflation pay outcomes and the proliferation of insecure work are forcing experienced journalists out of the industry, particularly in regional Australia. “Experienced journalists and media workers are being asked to do more with less – with fewer opportunities for pay progression, less certainty about their future, and growing workloads,” said MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley.

Union members, from both the MEAA and Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which represents technology and control systems staff at the ABC, are also seeking increased protections against the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to replace journalists, ensuring that automated technologies do not undermine editorial integrity or public trust.

ABC managing director Hugh Marks said the current pay offer was “sustainable and financially responsible,” refuting the unions’ claims of job insecurity. Management is beginning an application to Australia’s Fair Work Commission to mediate the dispute.

MEAA Chief Executive, Erin Madeley, said: “I congratulate our brave members at the ABC for standing up for secure jobs, fair treatment and quality journalism – but they should never have been pushed to this point. Investing in the people behind the ABC is essential to protecting a public broadcaster that belongs to all Australians.”

The IFJ said: “The IFJ stands in full solidarity with the MEAA and our colleagues at the ABC who have shown great courage in their fight for decent wages and job security. Quality journalism cannot be sustained when media workers are forced to shoulder the burden of stagnant pay, increasing workloads, and uncertainty amid the rapid integration of AI technologies. IFJ calls on ABC management to swiftly re-engage with staff to reach a fair and sustainable agreement.” (IFJ)

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Electricity trade unions have decided to suspend their strike action, which was launched over the abolishment of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the establishment of 06 new companies, following the restructuring process.

According to reports, the trade union action was suspended following discussions held with officials of the Ministry of Labour today. 

The electricity trade unions have assured that the disrupted electricity supply will be restored as soon as possible.

The trade union action was launched, accusing the authorities of failing to address their demands related to the CEB’s restructuring process. 

Earlier today (11), commenting on the Trade Union action, Nusith Kumaratunga, Chairman of the National Transmission Network Service Provider (Pvt) Ltd, said trade unions engaged in strike action in the electricity sector are demanding a 40% salary increase, but if that demand is granted, electricity bills may have to be increased by 100%. 

Addressing a media briefing held by the management of affiliated supply companies, he said that the unions had made 64 demands, of which 62 were agreed upon, while for the remaining two issues, the President had given them the opportunity to discuss further.

Most of the 64 demands were requests for benefits already available to the Ceylon Electricity Board, and the Board of Directors had agreed to provide 59 of them at the initial discussion.

Accordingly, five issues remained, and the unions were informed that decisions would be taken after discussions with the Minister.

The unions had also requested that allowances be given in the same way as by the Ceylon Electricity Board, and until a performance system is introduced, this was agreed to.

He further said that an allowance of Rs. 11,000 plus a cost-of-living allowance amounting to about Rs. 17,000 in total was agreed to be given, adding that all demands that could be agreed upon at the ministerial level had been accepted.

However, while demanding a 40% salary increase, they also requested that the Rs. 11,000 allowance be added to the basic salary. The Director stated that under the law of the country, the cost of living allowance cannot be added to the basic salary.

Although this basis was explained, they did not listen, he said.

He further stated that as a government, it is not possible to think only about the 23,000 employees of the Electricity Board, as that would be unfair to other government employees.

A 40% increase would mean Rs. 1.8 billion per month, Rs. 22 billion per year, and by December 31, 2025, the private account loss of the Ceylon Electricity Board alone would be Rs. 35 billion, he said.

NTNSP Chairman Nusith Kumaratunga further said:

“We said, give us a small grace period. These cannot be done all at once. There is a Middle East war. There was also a 25% salary anomaly. That means from August 2024, there was a 25% salary anomaly. All executive‑level officers received that. It was done like this: all who had decision‑making power got 25%. Lower‑level employees who could not participate in decisions got 7%, 8%, 10%, etc. That mistake was corrected on January 1, 2025. So, higher officers got nothing further. The 25% was finished. Now they are saying to change the Cabinet decision and give 25% to everyone from January 1, 2024. Then I said Cabinet decisions cannot be changed by me or the Directors. That must be discussed with the President. That opportunity has also been given. So all demands are complete. Now we cannot understand with what purpose these union actions are being carried forward,” he said. (Newswire)

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The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) has raised alarm over what it describes as a haphazard reform process in the power sector carried out over the past three to four years. 

Issuing a statement, the union said repeated concerns about potential dangers and alternative reform models had been ignored by authorities.

The CEBEU has observed with dismay the haphazard process of reforms of the CEB / power sector that has been going on for the last 3 or 4 years. It has brought to the notice of the relevant authorities its concerns regarding the reform process, dangerous outcomes that could result from the process undertaken and also better modalities for reform which would be net beneficial to the country. However, authorities have taken no notice of these concerns, it said. 

The CEBEU stressed that its members will not bear responsibility for any chaos resulting from the reforms, but emphasized it will not obstruct the government’s decisions. 

Instead, the union vowed to take all measures to protect the rights of its members and employees, particularly as jobs are threatened by the repeal of the CEB Act.

The current trade union action, which is being initiated, is to safeguard the rights of members and employees at a time when their employment is under threat. It is unfortunate that the relevant authorities have failed to adhere even to the basic rights guaranteed to employees under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, as well as the fundamental guidelines set out in the Supreme Court determinations regarding the Electricity Act, particularly in relation to the status and welfare of employees who may lose their employment at the CEB due to the repeal of the CEB Act, it said. 

The CEBEU said its current trade union action is aimed at safeguarding workers’ rights and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to the public. (Newswire)

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The Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya has announced that all Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees will withdraw from services for 24 hours starting at 03.00 pm today (09).

Union General Secretary Prabath Priyantha told the media that despite the government’s decision to abolish the CEB, no reasonable response or collective agreement has been offered to electricity workers.

He stressed that employees will not return to duty until discussions on a collective agreement are held.

Priyantha added that while power plants and essential operations will continue, all breakdown repairs and maintenance work will be suspended during the 24‑hour period, with only essential services provided. (Newswire)

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The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to withdraw from hospital clinic activities from next Monday (02 March).

The GMOA said this decision was taken because the government did not provide a proper response to the demands to establish a special service for doctors.

The Secretary of the Association, Prabath Aththanayake, stated that the 50 clinics currently operating and the mobile clinic systems are projects based on political objectives.

He further said that in the background of a shortage of staff to maintain the country’s primary health service, doctors have decided not to support such projects.

The Secretary also stated that since the subject minister or government authorities have not made a reasonable intervention regarding the problems faced by doctors, the current trade union action could escalate into a full strike. (Newswire)

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Electricity trade unions say that they will engage in a six‑hour token strike today (26 Feb) based on eight demands.

The unions stated that although authorities were informed of their issues on several occasions, no solutions have been provided so far.

President of the Ceylon Electricity Board Technical Engineers’ Union, Kosala Abeysinghe, said, accordingly, from 12.00 noon to 6.00 pm today, a token strike will be carried out island‑wide.

Meanwhile, customs trade unions say that, depending on the outcome of today’s discussion with the Deputy Minister of Finance regarding their demands, further trade union action will be decided.

Vice President of the Customs Officers’ Union, Geethanjana Madapatha, said that the trade union action of reporting to duty wearing black bands since last Tuesday continues today. (Newswire)

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Trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) are scheduled to launch a token strike tomorrow (26 Feb), as there has been no response to their demands.

Accordingly, the unions announced that a six-hour token strike will be carried out from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm tomorrow.

Earlier this week, CEB trade unions cautioned the government that they would resort to trade union action as soon as the GCE Ordinary Level examinations conclude, if solutions are not provided to their eight demands and if the liquidation of the CEB is gazetted.

They stated that if a wrong decision is taken for unlawful restructuring without listening to their demands, they would be compelled to take this decision within the next 48 hours, even unwillingly.

The unions further said that if employee issues and energy concerns are ignored, and if a proper energy policy is not established, but instead a gazette notification is issued arbitrarily, they will definitely take this decision without further notice. 

The warning comes after employees who have applied for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) of the CEB recently stated that the CEB Chairman has confirmed the Gazette notification announcing the dissolution of the Board will be issued on February 28. (Newswire)

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Trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have once again cautioned the government that they would resort to trade union action as soon as the GCE Ordinary Level examinations conclude, if solutions are not provided to their eight demands and if the liquidation of the CEB is gazetted.

They stated that if a wrong decision is taken for unlawful restructuring without listening to their demands, they would be compelled to take this decision within the next 48 hours, even unwillingly.

The unions further said that if employee issues and energy concerns are ignored, and if a proper energy policy is not established, but instead a gazette notification is issued arbitrarily, they will definitely take this decision without further notice. 

They stressed that this serious decision could gravely affect the country and its citizens, and that the government must bear full responsibility.

The CEB unions added that they are not prepared to carry out such action while children are sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level examinations, and that their restraint is only because the exams are being held.

This was stated at a press conference held in Colombo yesterday (23 Feb) by representatives of the CEB Engineers’ Union, including Executive Committee Member Engineer Sandaruwan Manchanayake; Deputy Chairman of the Technical Engineers and Officers’ Union, Nandana Udaya Kumara; Chairman of the Electrical Technicians’ Union, Kosala Abeysinghe; and General Secretary of the Independent Workers’ Union, Prabath Priyantha. 

The warning comes after employees who have applied for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) of the CEB recently stated that the CEB Chairman has confirmed the Gazette notification announcing the dissolution of the Board will be issued on February 28.

They had been further informed that the Government will ensure that compensation payments to employees who choose retirement will be disbursed without complications. (Newswire)

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Electricity trade unions have warned that if the government issues a gazette to dissolve the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) without fulfilling the promises made to them during restructuring, they will launch a strike without prior notice.

At a press conference held in Colombo yesterday, union representatives said that 24 electricity trade unions, including the Engineers’ Association, Technical Engineers and Officers’ Association, and the Industrial Technicians’ Association, are preparing to join this action.

The restructuring plan includes establishing six subsidiary companies to replace the CEB, with assets, liabilities, responsibilities, and operations allocated accordingly. 

This framework has been finalized under the guidance of the Attorney General, the Minister of Finance, and the Treasury.

Accordingly, once Cabinet approval is granted, the subject minister is expected to gazette the date on which the CEB will be officially dissolved. (Newswire)

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The Government Radiological Technologists’ Association announced that a 24‑hour symbolic strike will be launched across all hospitals in the country today (21 Jan).

The President of the Association, Chanaka Dharmavikrama, stated that the strike was prompted by the Ministry of Health’s failure to take action against the arbitrary conduct of the Deputy Director of the Maligawatta Kidney Hospital.

Meanwhile, the strike launched in protest against the Medical Officer of Akkaraipattu Hospital continues. 

Media Spokesman of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) in the Eastern Province, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, said that the strike continues for the fifth consecutive day today. (Newswire)

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