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CBK commends graduates’ protest against Chancellor

23 Dec 2021

  • Hails ‘opportunity to establish democracy’
BY Buddhika Samaraweera Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has commended the protest action by certain graduates of the University of Colombo (UoC) against UoC Chancellor Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera during the graduation ceremony held last Friday (17). During the graduation ceremony of the UoC last Friday, most of the graduates who participated in it had refused to obtain their degree certificates from the monk and had instead obtained the certificates from the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University. In a statement to the media regarding the said incident, Kumaratunga said that the manner in which the graduates protested against the monk was “very civilised and democratic”. She also stated that she considers it as an opportunity to establish democracy in the country. “With great discipline, those graduates quietly protested. Different parties have commented on their protest in different ways, but I see this as a victory for democracy in our country. They quietly protested without the use of guns and bombs in a very democratic way,” she added. Noting that the graduates had acted in a way that did no harm to the freedom of others, she emphasised that the people, especially those affected by the wrong decisions taken by the heads of the Government, have the right to protest against such decisions. If any Government is taking wrong decisions without consulting the people and the parties concerned, the people should come forward and protest against such, she also added. Speaking further, Kumaratunga opined: “This group of graduates brought democracy to its peak in the country. Their protest was quiet, but very strong. As a former Head of State, I offer my respect to them. No matter what anyone says, you did exactly what was needed. We rarely see incidents like this.” At the annual graduation ceremony of the UoC held last Friday, although the degree certificates are traditionally awarded by the Chancellor of a University, on that day, the graduates were seen refusing to obtain degree certificates from UoC Chancellor Ven. Ananda Thera. Instead, they obtained the certificates from the VC of the University. The monk was appointed the UoC Chancellor in November, and the said appointment has seen much opposition from various parties including the Inter-University Students’ Union of the UoC and certain teachers’ unions within the University.


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