The Mannar Chancellors’ and Professors’ Union organised a protest in the district earlier yesterday demanding higher wages and an end to militarisation of free education through the Kotelawala National Defence University (KNDU) Bill.
The protest march started near the Mannar Zonal Education Office at around 9.00 AM and made its way through the district bazaar street before reaching the district Municipal Council Office and returning to the Education Office.
Hundreds of chancellors and professors across Mannar participated in the protest. As a mark of support to the movement, representatives of Teachers’ Unions across the district also took part in the march.
The protesters railed against the 24 year-long delays in pay rises and demanded that a solution be meted out immediately. They held placards with slogans including, "Don't foist burdens upon teachers!," "Don't continue to betray chancellors and professors!," "Oh government! Stop attempting to muddle the protests through subterfuge!"
The march also called for a repeal of the controversial Kotelawala bill which it said is an attempt to militarise free education.
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