COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (News Cutter) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that education would be made an essential service if teachers do not return to paper marking by next week. The statement was made during the progress review meeting of the Education Ministry at the Presidential Secretariat on April 19.

The President’s decision came after several teacher trade unions refused to engage in 2022 GCE (A/L) paper marking due to their demands for a salary increase.

President Wickremesinghe added that the government will not allow children’s education to be held hostage and that necessary steps will be taken to ensure a smooth process.

Furthermore, he stated that the government is willing to discuss the demands of the teachers and reach a solution. However, the President emphasized that children’s education should not be hindered in the process. (Edited)