June 27, Colombo (LNW): The teacher-principal trade unions persist with their strike action today (27 June), in response to the use of tear gas and water cannons by police to disperse their protest march in Colombo yesterday (26).
The unions initiated an island-wide trade union action by reporting sick leave on 26 June to press several demands.
Concurrently, members launched a protest in Colombo, beginning near the Colombo Fort Railway Station.
Police employed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters near the Lotus Roundabout in Fort as they attempted to march towards the Presidential Secretariat.
The strike significantly disrupted educational activities across schools nationwide.
Many schools saw notably low attendance, with some students having to return home as they could not enter the premises.
Despite the ongoing strike, the Education Ministry confirmed that all government schools will operate as usual today (27).
