Minister Dr. Mervyn Silva tells academics:

'Don't be Shylocks'

Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Dr Mervyn Silva yesterday called on striking academics to come for talks to sort out their grievances instead of acting like Shylocks.

He said university dons who came from cities are deemed affluent while those who came from the villages are considered poor and this is the reality.

'Therefore before they ask for their demands they should turn the searchlight inwards. It is a great mistake.

'Today it is the universities that are paralysed and this situation cannot be equated to a labour strike the minister said appealing to the academics to come for discussions.

He also called on the government to treat the university academics as a special category and sort out their problems amicably. This is an obligation of the government.

"Nobody can say that they too should be treated alike merely because the academics' demands were met.

"In addition we should also think of the consequences of the academics leaving for greener pastures abroad if the doctors, engineers, historians etc are produced here(universities), we as a government should ensure their demands are met. That is why President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed a special commission to look into this matter, the minister stressed .

The minister made these observations while addressing a gathering at the Nikini Handa impromptu verse ( hitiwana kavi ) competition at the purana pattini devale premises in Siyambalape, Biyagama.