Aug 02, Colombo: University lecturers in Sri Lanka say they have been unable to reach a consensus on solving their issues at a meeting held with the Economic Development Minister, Basil Rajapaksa.

The Federation of University Teachers' Association (FUTA) is currently engaged in a strike demanding a salary increase for the lecturers and a 6% budgetary allocation for the education sector.

However, FUTA has stated that they have been unable to reach a satisfactory solution to their demands during the meeting with Minister Rajapaksa.

A FUTA Spokesperson said the university lecturers would continue with the strike until the government provides a solution to their issues.

The government has reportedly assured the university lecturers that their demands would be addressed as soon as possible.

The strike commenced by the university academics on July 04 has paralyzed the functions at the country's universities.

The government says the university teachers have already been granted a 72 percent pay hike. However, the FUTA says the strike is not based only on the salary demand alone but other issues as well.

Among others, the FUTA demands the government to increase allocations for education up to 6 percent of GDP and free universities from politicization.