University, pillar for social advancement - Professor Narada Warnasuriya

Manjari Peiris

A university has the duty of performing four main roles, providing wisdom to create a highly trained workforce, generating new knowledge and transmitting values to people for the advancement of the society, said Professor Narada Warnasuriya, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, at the International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2007 held at Tangerine Beach Hotel, Kalutara.

He emphasised that science should not be limited to libraries. "I understand that the word 'science' has been misused to a certain extent for financial gains."

"Indigenous practices are good for human kind, but has to be studied in a scientific and rational manner. We have to really absorb them in a very scientific way."

The chief guest Professor Tissa Vitarana, stated that we have to have a rapid economic development to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor while making sure that no harm is caused to the environment.

Professor Vitarana pointed out that it is the industries in foreign countries that refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, who are responsible for global environmental pollution. Those countries are asking the developing countries to take the responsibility for their negligence. "We have to avoid that kind of injustice."

Professor Vitarana said many products are issued to the market without doing adequate tests. Genetic science can cause adverse health effects for generations if misused. Some countries do rigorous testing for five to seven years in their laboratories.

We have to prevent tragedies such as Thalidomide tragedy where pregnant women who consume a certain drug come out with hideously deformed babies.