SundayTimes
The issue of private universities came up in Parliament on Wednesday, when the votes of the Ministry of Higher Education were taken up for debate. Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayaka said that Government would encourage private higher educational institutions, but would not privatise State-owned universities.
“Of the 150,000 students who qualify for higher education in this country, only around 20,000 can find placements within State universities. It is the responsibility of the Government to find them educational opportunities in the country,” he said.
The Minister added that Sri Lankan students were going to countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan for medical studies, as there is resistance to private medical colleges within the country. “Not one, but we need two, three or four private medical colleges in Sri Lanka,” he said.
UNP MP Sujeewa Senasinghe said that his party would not object to the setting up of private universities, but oppose the lack of transparency in the procedure adopted by the Government in this regard.
“It is ironic that, those who once spoke against private education, are now speaking in support of it,” he said.
JVP MP Anura Dissanayaka who spoke during the debate, accused the Government of setting up private universities, and attempting to cripple the State ones. “The Government needs to invest money in State universities,” he said.
The issue of private universities came up in Parliament on Wednesday, when the votes of the Ministry of Higher Education were taken up for debate. Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayaka said that Government would encourage private higher educational institutions, but would not privatise State-owned universities.
“Of the 150,000 students who qualify for higher education in this country, only around 20,000 can find placements within State universities. It is the responsibility of the Government to find them educational opportunities in the country,” he said.
The Minister added that Sri Lankan students were going to countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan for medical studies, as there is resistance to private medical colleges within the country. “Not one, but we need two, three or four private medical colleges in Sri Lanka,” he said.
UNP MP Sujeewa Senasinghe said that his party would not object to the setting up of private universities, but oppose the lack of transparency in the procedure adopted by the Government in this regard.
“It is ironic that, those who once spoke against private education, are now speaking in support of it,” he said.
JVP MP Anura Dissanayaka who spoke during the debate, accused the Government of setting up private universities, and attempting to cripple the State ones. “The Government needs to invest money in State universities,” he said.
