The hunger strike launched by a group of Development Officers opposite the Presidential Secretariat— demanding that they be absorbed into the teacher service —continues today (01) for its seventh day.

The Union of All Ceylon School Development Officers launched a satyagraha on January 26, requesting the authorities to absorb them into the teacher service since they have been working in schools for seven years.

Since authorities did not respond appropriately, the protest escalated into a fast-unto-death.

Today marks the seventh day of the ongoing satyagraha and hunger strike.

Four persons who were engaged in the hunger strike were hospitalized due to deteriorating health, while two others joined the protest yesterday (31).

Meanwhile, leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa also arrived at the site earlier today.

Addressing the media, former Minister Weerawansa stated that the issue should be viewed from a humanitarian perspective and that the government must act to ensure justice for those involved. According to Wimal Weerawansa, while another government may have had the right to respond in such a harsh manner, the current administration does not have the moral authority to do so, noting that these were the same individuals whose demands had previously been strongly acknowledged and whose expectations were raised with assurances that they would be fulfilled.

Meanwhile, although Director General of Public Relations at the Presidential Secretariat D. Gamage has given an assurance that the President is prepared to hold discussions with the development officers at 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday, the protesters insist a meeting must be held before tomorrow.

They further warned that failure to do so would result in a large-scale protest.