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SJB not opposed to military university concept: Eran Wickramaratne

05 Aug 2021

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne yesterday (04) stated in Parliament that the SJB is not opposed to the concept of a military university. Instead, he highlighted that the SJB is opposed to the KNDU Bill in its current form.  According to the MP, the SJB will continue to move amendments to make the bill more accountable to the University Grants Commission (UGC). Referring to former Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala’s vision to provide higher education to those wanting to join the armed forces, Wickramaratne stated that special training is needed for military personnel which cannot be provided by universities for civilians.  “We want to take his dream forward. However, we are cautious for several reasons. It makes no sense to expand the intake beyond the requirements of the military,” he said. He elaborated that the SJB is opposed to the Bill for three main reasons.  “Self regulation and suppliers cannot be the same. This is why the UGC needs to be brought in because regulations need to differ distinctly. The military university does not solve the lack of spaces in higher education, this is one of our biggest issues which is stifling progress. We need to improve and increase the quality supply of education in this country. We don't want to compel parents to send their children overseas, not just because the country is using foreign exchange but because the parents are doing this with some discomfort,” Wickramaratne said. Further, the MP also clarified that the intellectual freedom of civilian students in higher education should not be limited as it is a threat to their personal development. “To develop a holistic education, an environment of freedom and intellectual space is needed,” he stated. He also added that the SJB feels as if this Bill will not allow for the process of checking the balance between the long term quality of KNDU. “Some of the world's most reputed universities are non-profit and non-government, this model needs to be considered. I'm hoping that the government will create the space for this, Education mustn't ignore social justice, therefore if somebody is going to study somewhere irrespective of whether it's government or non-government, those students, based on their affordability must be given grounds and must be given loans. This is the way forward for Sri Lanka,” the MP opined. Wickramaratne also stated that he was “happy to see” that the SLPP is thinking of liberalizing this space across the barriers of Parliament. “Whether we are in government or in opposition, this is something that we must get together for. We must not do what we did to SAITM,” he concluded.


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