Thursday, October 11, 2012

PB blames Govt., dons and student leaders for crisis

, The Island

article_image
Dr. Jayasundera addressing the gatering
(Pic by Dhammika Salwathura)


Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera yesterday (10) blamed the government, Vice Chancellors and student leaders of the country’s universities for the recent fiasco which saw the higher education system come to a virtual standstill for three months.

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) engaged in a prolonged strike over pay disputes which later turned into a battle for more resources to the country’s troubled education sector.

"I blame the government, Vice Chancellors of our universities and student leaders for not acting responsibly which started something which could have easily been avoided," Dr. Jayasundera said delivering the 9th Annual Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute last evening.

"After everyone decided enough was enough I issued a letter to the FUTA and though it is not taken seriously the letter contains substance and conveys the commitment of the government over the medium term. I have not included any numbers in the letter except for the date because I still have not learnt to write the date with letters. The letter contains the vision of the government and the aspiration of our children that they could become citizens contributing to the economic activities of this country, and, most importantly, become responsible citizens," the top bureaucrat said.

"I hope everyone will return to work (at the universities) and I also hope the need for reconciliation would not be necessary," Dr. Jayasundera said adding that it was everyone’s responsibility to uplift the university system.

He praised the late Ms. Sujata Jayawardena for mobilising well wishers to construct a 500 room hostel for female students at the Colombo University.

"We have 17 universities around the country and some of them do not even have facilities of a high ranking school. Some of these universities operate in an environment which is not of a university. By following Ms. Jayawardena’s example, universities can learn to mobilise well wishers to improve conditions at rural faraway universities without having to depend on the government. This will help universities become autonomous and help students be free," Dr. Jayasudera said.

He said Sri Lanka was going through a period when people were talking about rich lists. He said there was an environment where people were making money overnight with very little effort (at the stock exchange perhaps). These people do not pay taxes and I am not going to tell them to pay taxes. But these people can silently contribute towards uplifting our universities," he said.

Cartoon of the day , The Island

Cartoon of the day , Dailymirror


A final decision on university teachers’ strike

 Lanka Truth

It is reported that a final decision regarding the continuous strike launched by university teachers would be taken soon.
The General Secretary of Federation of University Teachers’’ Associations (FUTA) Dr. Terence Madhujith said the Executive Committee of FUTA meets today (11th) and a final decision regarding agreements reached at discussions held during the past few days would be taken then.
He has said it would be possible to report for duties from next week if the Executive Committee decides to end the strike.