The Higher Education Ministry and the Minneriya Infantry Training Centre denied Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) allegations that participants in the leadership training programme were exposed to sexually explicit material at the Minneriya Centre on June 4.Minneriya Infantry Training Centre Commandant Ashoka Amunugama said none of the students was exposed to such material and added that the misleading rumours were connected to a beauty culture programme, which was conducted for three hours as part of the personal grooming course.
“The beauty culture programme was conducted by a recognized private institution in Colombo and the three-hour programme consisted of several topics including personal confidence development, beauty culture tips, public speaking and personal grooming. The programme ended with a demonstration of beauty culture tips for the participating girls,” Brigadier Amunugama said explaining the course contents of the programme.
“There are some 625 girls undergoing the training programme at this centre and as the authority responsible for these students, we can ensure that no such incidents have taken place neither will it be so in the future,” he added.
However, the IUSF insisted that the beauty culture programme held on July 4 had contained sexually explicit materials and added that it was being strongly criticized by parents as well as students. (Lakna Paranamanna)
