A group of Development Officers has been on a hunger strike outside the Presidential Secretariat for seven days, demanding to be included in the teacher service. This protest began on January 26, when the Union of All Ceylon School Development Officers called for their inclusion after working in schools for seven years. Due to a lack of proper response from the authorities, the protest turned into a fast-unto-death. Today marks the seventh day of this hunger strike. Four participants were hospitalized because their health worsened, and two more joined the protest yesterday. Wimal Weerawansa, leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF), visited the protest site today. He told the media that the situation should be seen from a humanitarian angle, urging the government to ensure justice for the protesters. Weerawansa emphasized that while past governments might have reacted harshly, the current government lacks the moral authority to do so, as these individuals had previously received strong acknowledgment of their demands with promises that were not fulfilled. Additionally, D. Gamage, the Director General of Public Relations at the Presidential Secretariat, stated that the President is willing to meet with the Development Officers at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. However, the protesters insist that a meeting must occur before tomorrow. They cautioned that if this does not happen, they will organize a larger protest.
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