University students are being used to gain petty political gains - S.B

Minister further stated that, "after getting control of the Ministry of Higher Education in 2005, we have achieved a commendable progress in the University Sector by developing infrastructure such as faculty buildings, administrative buildings, lecture halls, sports facilities, technical centers, language centers etc. The academic atmosphere and the material background of University System have been improving rapidly with the constant support of  President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It is true that we have to accept, there were about 7 to 8 hostels which had no exact order of discipline, and maintenance.

"Therefore we have been guided by the President to build 60 hostels for University Students and the first phase to build 30 hostels has been completed successfully. There is another project to build 8 more hostels for the students of which  2/3rd has already been completed. With the excellent support of ‘Deyata Kirula’ the Wayamba University has achieved a commendable progress by building a new auditorium to accommodate 1200 people at a time, well equipped indoor stadium, lecture halls and administrative buildings.  I can still remember that Vavuniya and Trincomalee Campuses were just like huts in 2005 when I visited for the first time  as Minister in charge of Higher Education. Now they have gained a lot during this short period.

"Today I have to reveal that, there is a group who misguide the teenager University Students to protest against the current government as well as the Higher Education Ministry by using petty and unreasonable reasons. Those have been noticed by intelligent people who have the sense to grasp the truth which exist.

"For example, now a group of students are launching a ‘Sathyagraha’ to establish a management faculty at University of Peradeniya and planning to launch a protest to increase Mahapola Scholarship. Both are none other than fake and baseless allegations since we have worked hard to get permission for both activities. At the final stage, when they got to know about the progress of certain issues, the aforesaid political parties are starting to stage those issues with extremist politics. This is a very sad situation which has been rooted for a long time, especially in the higher education sector in Sri Lanka. Now we are in the final stage of constructing 60 hostels. But we have not received any appreciation from these parties.

"Also, as I remember, there was a warm discussion to solve para-medical degree course a few months back. Finally the issue was brought to President's attention by the foresaid political groups. Finally it was revealed that, the leader of the said protest was a drug dealer who is a member of Peratugami Party. This context should be understood by the general public, parents of the students and the student’s community as well.

"This is what is  happening in front of the University of Peradeniya, Galaha Juction, at the protest to establish the Management Faculty. We have already implemented and taken steps to establish it. But I must reveal that I’m not ready to sign  the gazette until and unless they stop the unwanted and unreasonable protest to collect marks for the sake of subversive political groups. The President himself admitted to the decision to increase the Mahapola Scholarship and it’s in the stage of implementation. Now those political henchmen are planning to launch a protest to collect the credit. Hence, I’m not ready to sign  the gazette. Until and unless they stop this cheap cheating process, we are not ready to give those important facilities since we have been noticing such childish playing for long time,: the Minister stressed.