The Lanka Teachers Union says that several employees of the Education Department contesting the local government elections have received their April salaries, which is a violation of the Election Law and the Establishments Code.
Speaking to the media in Anuradhapura, the union’s president, Priyantha Fernando, said that more than 400 employees of the Education Department, including principals, teachers, teacher advisors and non-academic staff members, are contesting the local government elections.
He pointed out that under the election law, any staff grade officer contesting the elections must resign from the post and others must take unpaid leave, but 90% of those contesting the local government elections have violated this requirement. He said that in the North Central Province alone, only six out of 48 teachers contesting the local government have taken unpaid leave.
The union leader said that principals, teachers and other employees who are contesting the election without taking unpaid leave have had their April salaries withdrawn from their bank accounts.
However, Anuradhapura District Secretary and Returning Officer Ranjith Wimalasuriya said that it is an irregularity for any official contesting the election without taking unpaid leave to receive their salary. He pointed out that the candidacy of anyone who violates this requirement is subject to cancellation. To avoid disciplinary action, those who have received a salary should return it immediately.