Teachers who received transfer letters should assume duties at their new service stations from next Wednesday – Hon. Governor
It has been decided in a discussion with representatives of the Sri Lanka Teachers Service Association and the Sri Lanka Principals Service Association, chaired by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, to make the Northern Province transfer policy effective and to implement teacher transfers without delay.
This discussion was held at the Governor’s Secretariat on Sunday (13.07.2025).
Hon. Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe emphasized that only active trade unions registered with the Teachers’ Transfer Board should be granted representation. He warned that the inclusion of unauthorized trade union representatives on the Board could lead to legal challenges against the transfer decisions. He further requested the Northern Provincial Department of Education to circulate the list of authorized unions to all educational zones.
The Northern Provincial Transfer Policy deviates from the National Transfer Policy in certain areas. Nevertheless, the Teachers’ Service Association emphasized the need for effective revisions to the provincial policy. They also noted that when transfers are granted by Zonal Education Directors based on service requirements, they should be notified to the Transfer Board within 14 days. In response, the Secretary to the Northern Provincial Ministry of Education instructed all Zonal Education Directors to implement this procedure.
The Teachers Service Association, which requested that political interference should not be allowed during transfers, also emphasized that disciplinary investigations against principals and teachers should be expedited. The Secretary to the Ministry of Education stated that the request to issue acknowledgment letters to teachers and principals for documents submitted to the departments would be implemented.
Representatives of the Principal Service Association raised concerns about individuals who have been appointed as principals but have not assumed their duties, emphasizing the need to absorb them to fill existing vacancies. The Secretary to the Ministry of Education noted that the process of formulating a principal transfer policy is currently underway.
Hon. Parliamentarian Jagatheeswaran highlighted the issues arising from the release of teachers from the zones in the Vanni region without the arrival of replacement teachers. In response, the Governor emphasized that Zonal Education Directors must ensure that transferred teachers complete their duties in their current zones and assume duties at their new stations by next Wednesday.
Hon. Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe stated that the government expects to strengthen the cluster school system in the future so that the education of students in the region does not affect it and that he believes that through this, the issue of principal and teacher shortage can be alleviated.
Meanwhile, Hon. Deputy Minister Pradeep Sundaralingam emphasized that the development of students’ education must be the primary focus, and urged teachers, principals, and officials not to act based on personal preferences or convenience. He further stated that they should be willing to make certain sacrifices and endure challenges for the sake of students’ education, warning that without such commitment, it would be difficult to improve educational standards in the Northern Province.
Meanwhile, concerns were raised about instances of discrimination in school admissions. Hon. Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe called for strict and uncompromising action in such cases. The Governor assured that appropriate measures would be taken without fail if such complaints are received.
The discussion was attended by General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Teachers Service Association and Hon. Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe, National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Teachers Service Association and Hon. Deputy Minister Pradeep Sundaralingam, Vice President of the Teachers Service Association and Hon. Parliamentarian Jagatheeswaran, M. Nandagopalan, Secretary to the Governor, M. Patrik Dranjan, Secretary to the Provincial Ministry of Education, K. Bratley Jennett, Director of Education of the Northern Province, and Zonal Directors of all the Zones in the North.
