Leadership training:

Student org. wants programme to continue

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The Leadership Training Programme, conducted for university entrants should not be terminated for any reason since it greatly benefits the university community, Convener of the Harauma’ Organization and Independent University Students’ Union chairman Ukthi Ekadeera said.

The Coalition of Independent University Students pledged to spearhead a major transformation in the universities aiming to save university education from the destructive path pursued by certain political movements, including the Inter University Students’ Federation.

As a result of the activities of certain politically motivated students’ movements, ten students lost their lives and more than 25 were injured while several universities had been closed from time to time. Besides, around 6,000 undergraduates have left universities with out completing their undergraduate courses unable to face the inhuman acts of the Inter University Students Federation, The motive of these students’ groups is to create issues in the universities and thrive on the uncertain situation, Ekadeera said.

“As a result, the university system has been badly affected. The Heravuma Organization was formed to bring the university system on the proper track creating an atmosphere conducive for academic activities. All university students are invited to join hands with the Heravuma Organization considering it a national task,” Ekadeera said.

National Organiser of Heravuma Baratha Tennakoon said their organisation is dedicated to seeing an end to ragging in the university system.

He said ragging has to be eradicated from the university system since it damages the peaceful academic atmosphere of the universities and the students’ mentality.

Except a few faculties in certain universities, all other students are subjected to ragging. It has been reported that some were physically harassed and had to be hospitalized. Apart from that a considerable number of students have given up university education owing to ragging, he said.

The student community of all universities in the country must raise its voice against ragging since ragging has become a cancer in the university system. All students should join hands against ragging, considering ragging as the main obstacle to a peaceful University education, he added.

They said the Inter University Students’ Federation was against the leadership training programme since the programme has become an obstacle to brainwash new university entrants. Hence,the Inter University Students’ Federation says the leadership programme is a step to militarisation of the university education.

“The leadership programme should be conducted as usual since it brings much benefits to university entrants” Tennakoon said.

The Inter University Students’ Federation is now trying to ruin university education by arousing the university students in Jaffna after they failed to do the same in the other universities.