Sept 26, Colombo: The striking university lecturers in Sri Lnka have denied reports that lecturers from the Kelaniya University have reported to work despite the strike.

The Federation of University Teachers' Association (FUTA) stated that lecturers in the medical faculties in universities had not joined the trade union action.

FUTA Spokesperson Dr. Mahim Mendis has said the government was trying to mislead the people by saying the lecturers had returned to work when only the medical faculties were functioning for the past few months.

Meanwhile, the Joint Secretary of the University of Kelaniya Teachers' Association, Prof. Hemantha Sirisena has denied that academics in the university were reporting to work regardless of the strike action.

Prof. Sirisena has issued a statement saying that despite the Higher Education Minister's statements that academic activities in the Kelaniya University are functioning smoothly, academic programs including lectures, field work and practical programs have been completely disrupted due to the strike.

Meanwhile, thousands of lecturers launched a protest march from Galle to reach Colombo.

The academics striking since July 04 are demanding a pay raise and a 6 percent of GDP allocation for the education sector among others.

The government has agreed to all their demands but says cannot grant the pay raise because it would create anomalies in the salary structure.