Nov 06, Colombo: A teachers' union in Sri Lanka, Ceylon Teachers' Union has criticized the government for belittling the principals of government schools before Provincial Council politicians.

In a recent circular issued by an additional secretary of the Ministry of Education of the Western Province, the principals are asked to get an application endorsed by a Provincial Councilor.

The Western Province Ministry of Education wants the principals to get an application for the funds for painting school buildings endorsed by a Provincial Council member.

Ceylon Teachers' Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin Fernando says that this is a demeaning act by a public official.

The additional secretary has sent this letter dated 2012/10/22 to all Zonal and Divisional Directors of Education and to over 1330 principals, said the secretary of the Ceylon Teachers' Union.