Students Union system under UNP caused conflicts - Minister

Chaminda Perera

Higher Education Minister Prof. Wiswa Warnapala directed the University Grants Commission to look into the possibility of reviving the democratic student council system.

Addressing the Ministry staff yesterday the Minister said the Students Union system established under the UNP regime helped cause many conflicts in the university system and some political elements with vested interests crept into the university system through these unions and disrupted the system. "My mission as the Minister in charge of Higher Education to make universities in the country centres of knowledge," he said.

The Minister said he is receiving a number of requests to rectify some shortcomings such as broken taps from the students and their unions. He said these shortcomings can be rectified by the non-academic staff.

Minister Prof. Warnapala said he will reject all such requests if they are not made through the Faculty Dean, Senior Treasurer or Vice Chancellor.