Teachers urge authorities to rectify their pay anomalies

The trade unions that stage a boycott of marking the papers were ordered by the Supreme Court not to intimidate or force those who are marking the papers to join their action.

Wasantha Dharmasiri, General Secretary of Education Professionals Association (EPA), said many teachers who did not join the boycott are now fearful whether they would be sued if they make any mistake.

Supreme Court ruling

A trade union action by 12,000 teachers was converted into a mass scale protest by 225,000 education professionals as a result of the court action, he said.

Five major teachers' unions say they are planning to stage an island-wide boycott on 13 September.

We do not threaten or intimidate anybody. Every teacher has voluntarily joined the action   EPA General Secretary

The Commissioner of Examinations announced that the marking to be commenced on 13 September after the Supreme Court ruling.

However, the EPA says the ruling has no impact on their trade union action.

"We do not threaten or intimidate anybody. Every teacher has voluntarily joined the action," Wasantha Dharmasiri told journalists in Colombo on Sunday.

The unions have decided to stay away from marking the papers until the relevant circular is issued by the government.