“STOP STATE REPRESSION!” TEACHERS Chanting in Srilanka
The Police have fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a protest march near Palam Thuna Junction in Pelwatta. The incident, which took place during a peaceful protest organised by Teachers, raised questions about the response of law enforcement authorities to the demonstration. Teachers and education professionals were calling for improvements in their working conditions and better resources for schools.
On 24th October, more than 4,000 Sri Lankan teachers protested in front of the Education Ministery in Colombo to demand increased pay and allowances, increased government funding and no collecting of funds from parents for school maintenance. The protest reflect the growing anger in the working class against the government’s austerity policies.
The teachers marched from Buddhadasa Stadium to the Education Ministry at Pelwatta displaying placards with their demands. They also chanted slogans including “Stop State Repression!”, “Withdraw Online Safety Bill and Anti- Terrorism Bill”
The government had deployed hundreds of riot police and armed soldiers to intimidate and suppress the protest. Police attempted to stop the march, attacking teachers with water cannon, tear gas and batons. Several teachers were injured. The march continued, however, and teachers protested for over an hour outside the Education Ministry.
The teachers’ protest was called by the teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union Alliance (TPTUA). The aim of the TPTUA is not to mobilise teachers in a genuine fight for their rights but rather to dissipate their anger and militancy into futile appeals to President Ranil Wickramesinghe and his government.
The police attack is part of growing state repression against workers, students and others. These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of freedom of expression and peaceful protest in a democratic society, as well as the need for responsible and measured responses by authorities when addressing such a demonstration.
