The Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) has warned of a severe shortage of lecturers in Sri Lanka’s university system, with only about 5,000 currently serving against the required 12,000.
FUTA Secretary Charudatta Ilangasinghe said yesterday (30) that resignations, overseas assignments, and study leave have worsened the shortfall. He revealed that around 200 lecturers at the University of Peradeniya resigned during the past year alone.
University lecturers staged a symbolic strike yesterday to press their demands, warning that if the government fails to respond, they will be compelled to take stronger trade union action.
Ilangasinghe added that unattractive working conditions are discouraging qualified professionals from joining the university system. He also noted that despite sending a letter to the President a month ago requesting a meeting to discuss the issue, FUTA has yet to receive a response.
