School Development Officers continue strike

The hunger strike launched by School Development Officers in front of the Presidential Secretariat, demanding permanency in the teaching service, entered its second consecutive day today (28).

The protest, which began on Monday afternoon, escalated after a failed discussion between union representatives and the President’s Director General of Public Relations, Dharmasiri Gamage.

Tensions rose yesterday morning (27) when protesters attempted to burn a mock coffin at the site, leading to a heated confrontation with police officers stationed at the scene.

Medical concerns were also reported yesterday when a female development officer participating in the fast suddenly fell ill.

She was rushed to the Colombo National Hospital for emergency treatment and was later discharged after her condition stabilised.

The graduate development officers, many of whom have been serving as teachers in various schools for several years, are demanding that the government fulfil previous promises to absorb them into the permanent teacher service without further delay.

Several political and civil activists visited the protest site yesterday to express their solidarity with the fasting officers.