EPDP said forcing teachers into election work

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 March 2004, 15:19 GMT]
Pre-school teachers working in the Vadamaradchi area in Jaffna district Wednesday complained to their Pre-School Co-ordinator that they have been pressurized by activists of the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party to campaign for their candidates in the forthcoming general election, sources said.

In a statement, the pre-school co-ordinator, Mr.Thurai Sathiyaseelan, said that he has received several complaints from pre-school teachers in his area that EPDP activists coming to their residences accompanied by Sri Lanka army and police personnel and insisting them to join in their election campaign.

Hence pre-school teachers through fear have stopped attending schools and the pre-school education in his region has come to standstill, said Mr.Sathiyaseelan.

Mr.Sathiyaseelan has called the authorities concerned to intervene in this matter and make necessary arrangements to recommence classes in pre-schools.