Govt to come down hard on ragging

Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday that the Government will use all powers at its command to stop ragging in the Higher Education institutes.

Responding to an adjournment motion moved by UPFA MP Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe, the Minister said the University Grants Commission has already paid its full attention to prevent ragging by imposing rules and regulations.

He said an Act was introduced with regard to ragging in Higher Education institutes. Under this Act, students found guilty of ragging were punished.

Psychiatrist Dr Bandara conducted an anti-ragging program. We have to continue this program by making the students aware of it.

UPFA MP A. H. M. Azwer said proper solutions will be given to alleviate the university students problems. "We must upgrade the facilities of the Eastern University which has been neglected. The Government has rendered a greater service to uplift the university system.

UNP MP J. Sri Ranga said a number of problems with regard to the university system should be solved. If the Government can provide funds to establish a new university in Nuwara Eliya, it would vastly benefit to upcountry children.

Moving the adjournment motion by UPFA MP Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe said ragging in the Higher Education institutes should be eliminated. Ragging is the burning problem which has adversely affected the studies of the university students. It violates the human rights of students. Most of the rural children had faced difficulties due to ragging.

Though several Government who ruled he country took maximum efforts to stop ragging, it was not successful. Therefore, I request new Higher Education Minister to take appropriate actions to stop this problem.