May 23, 2011, 10:07 pm
by Dasun Edirisinghe
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that university life, which was a most decisive period in the life of a person, should not be destroyed by the ragging experienced currently.
He said that it was the responsibility of the government to rid the students and their parents of their fears and doubts at the time of university admission.
Addressing a section of students, selected for the leadership training programme, at Temple Trees, President Rajapaksa emphasized that building the self–confidence of the newly selected students would lead to the wiping out of ragging.
It should not be achieved through the suppression of another group or the use of oppressive laws, he said.
Nearly 3,000 students attended the launching ceremony of the leadership training programme. Others joined the ceremony through the satellite communication technology from their respective training centers island wide.
Secretary to the Higher Education Ministry Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne told The Island that 10,000 students were selected to make up the first batch of leadership training programme.
He said that 82 per cent of them reported for the three-week programme at 28 centres island wide amidst protests and false reports spread by the politically motivated students.
"We have invited 3,000 students, who were selected for the programme at centers located close to Colombo, for the launching ceremony at the Temple Trees," Dr. Navaratne said adding of them 2,900 students participated in the event presided over by the President.
According to Dr. Navaratne there were toilet problems and water shortage reported from some centres, but they would be resolved immediately by the head of those military establishments.
Commenting on The Island query, Dr. Navaratne said that protection of the students was ensured by the government. He denied that the students were to be put through military training.
He said that the government has decided to start the training programme to enhance the leadership qualities, personality and creative skills of those who pass out from Sri Lankan universities.
Link: http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=26090
