Little chance of Lanka becoming knowledge hub: FUTA

Local universities are facing a brain drain and will not be able to achieve the government’s goal of turning Sri Lanka into a South Asian knowledge hub as the academic staff has not received their wage increments promised by the government, the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) said today.

FUTA spokesman Mahin Mendis said only 25 per cent of the academic staff in local universities were doctoral degree holders and that if the universities were to retain the PhD holders the government should ensure that they received the increments owed to them.

“You can’t call a university a university if it is not run by PhD holders. If we are to have the highest qualified academics in our local universities they should be paid accordingly,” Dr. Mendis said.

The 2008 Prof. Malik Ranasinghe-Jeffrey Committee set up to inquire into salary anomalies of university academic staff had recommended that salaries of senior professors be increased to Rs.168,750.

Dr. Mendis said this recommendation has not been implemented and that instead the academics have only received a 25 per cent conditional allowance for research and development and an increase in academic allowances.

“We have only received an interim solution which is no solution at all. It is not acceptable, but should be urgently fulfilled if not there will be a crisis in 2012” he said.

Dr. Mendis said only one per cent of the country’s national income was allocated for higher education in Sri Lanka but it should be increased to six per cent.

He said Sri Lanka was one of the South Asian countries that invested the least in higher education. “Even if investments in higher education are increased to six per cent we will still be the lowest investor in education as other countries in the region allocate much more,” Dr. Mendis said. (Olindhi Jayasundere)

Five undergrads remanded over Thursday’s clash

November 11, 2011, 9:47 pm

By Jayantha de Silva

Five undergraduates of the Kelaniya University were produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Maheen Wijeweera yesterday, over Thursday’s clash between two factions of a Science Faculty. They were remanded till November 17.

The Magistrate allowed an application to allow the suspects to sit for their examination to be held on (14) Monday and ordered any requests in this regard to be directed to the Commissioner of Prisons.

The suspects in this case are Tivanka Somachandra, Dilruk Prasanna, Manusha Palinda, Chaturanga Herath and Chintaka Ruvinda.

The Magistrate took into consideration the objections of Police in granting bail to the five suspects on the basis that the clashes were politically motivated.

The Magistrate on being informed by the police that in the event the suspects were enlarged on bail the possibility of a future clash could not be discounted, disallowed the bail applications despite the pleadings of their counsels "that the innocent students be granted bail on any condition ".

The counsel in response to the application filed by the police further requested that the campus be made out of bound to the suspects.

The police did not object to the application which was allowed.

Two complaints had been lodged with the police and the clash resulted in six students being treated for wounds at the Colombo North Hospital.

The counsel for the student still under treatment submitted he is presently warded at the Ragama Hospital with 32 stitches. His arm and abdomen had been cut by a tree cutting electric saw.

Two factions had pelted stones at each other resulting in some receiving head injuries.

At this point police informed that peace was not prevailing on the campus.

The counsel said that the root of the clash were a row between a professor and a student leader.

PS 32873 Jayantha prosecuted.

IP Priyantha assisted by SI Dissanayake conducted investigations.

Attorney-at-Law Mervin Silva, Anton Senanayake, Bertram Mendis and Mitila Yapa appeared for the complainant faction.

Attorneys-at-Law Thusitha Dammika and Nilan Amarakoon appeared for the counter complainant faction.

 

GMOA alleges Health Ministry does not have data bank

November 11, 2011, 9:51 pm

By Lal Gunesekera

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) alleges that the Ministry of Health does not have a data bank, though a request was made by the GMOA way back in 2007.

Assistant Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Upul Gunasekera told The Island that they had requested computerisation of data. For that purpose, 16 doctors specialising in bio-informatics related to Medical services had been released to the ministry for a short period and they were to return to their previous stations after completing that assignment.

He said that those doctors had already produced reports with their proposals, but the Ministry had not acted upon their recommendations as yet. The ministry did not have data entry personnel, and these doctors were released to develop a data bank. The GMOA was ‘not happy’ with the IT Department of the Health Ministry, which did not even possess an official e-mail address.

There was a shortage of doctors, but he could not disclose the exact number due to the lack of a data bank. However, according to various sources there were 16,000 doctors and 1,300 consultants in the country. Although he could not exactly say how many government hospitals there were in the country, 47 hospitals were closed down as the were without the necessary doctors and had not been provided with proper facilities, Dr. Gunasekera said.

He said that hospitals could not achieve their full potential as there was a dearth of personnel not only of doctors but also of nurses, pharmacists etc. Therefore a cadre revision was a pressing need, Dr. Gunasekera said.

The GMOA Assistant Secretary also claimed the 60 doctors had not applied for posts and were seeking foreign employment.

80% unemployed graduates are women

Some 80% of unemployed graduates in the country are women who struggle due to no available income which will have grave social and economic implications if the government does not address the problem, the Combined Association of Unemployed Graduates said today .

The association threatened to go on an all-island protest next week if the government did not provide jobs for over 40,000 unemployed graduates in the country.

The association’s Convener Dammika Munasinghe said this will be a growing burden to the country if the government does not provide jobs for them. “With the increasing cost of living it has become vital for men and women to have jobs but the government has not paid any heed to our pleas,” 

Munasinghe said since 2005 the number of unemployed graduates has increased from 5,000 to 40,000 despite the governments promises to provide jobs for unemployed graduates.

He said according to the Mahinda Chinthana the government was expected to provide 10,000 jobs in 2006. In the 2007 budget 8,000 jobs were promised and in the 2008 budget 15,000 were promised. In 2009 14,500 jobs were promised and in August this year 30,000 jobs were promised to unemployed graduates and non-graduates but that they were not provided.

“These promises were never fulfilled by the government despite their promises. We are asking them once more and to keep their word,” he said. (By Olindhi Jayasundere)

Unemployed graduates launch fresh agitation

November 10, 2011, 10:00 pm

by Dasun Edirisinghe

Unemployed graduates would launch their newest protest campaign demanding immediate jobs from the Southern Province tomorrow (12).

Media Spokesman for the Combined Union of Unemployed Graduates Dhammika Munasinghe told The Island that their members would protest in Matara and Galle.

He said that they organized a series of public seminar in parallel to the protest and it would be held at Matara YMBA hall and Galu Urumaya hall in Galle at 2.00pm.

"Our protest in Eastern Province will be launched from Batticaloa on Sunday (13)," Munasinghe said adding that an awareness seminar will take place in Batticaloa Town hall.

According to him, the government cheated them for five years and their members as asked were involved in political work of the ruling party in every election on the promise of providing jobs.

But, there are over 40,000 graduates still awaiting jobs while more than 19,000 vacancies exist in the public sector, he said.

Munasinghe said that there were only 5000 unemployed graduates in the country when President Mahinda Rajapaksa took office in 2005 as the Chandrika Kumaratunga’s previous government provided jobs for 40,000 graduates.

"However, incumbent President Rajapaksa failed to provide jobs even for 5000 graduates so far," he said.

Munasinghe said that they were seeking an acceptable solution to their agitation from the budget to be presented in parliament on Nov. 18.

Knife attacks leave six undergrads injured

November 10, 2011, 9:56 pm

by Dasun Edirisinghe

A bloody clash between two student factions of the Kelaniya University’s Science Faculty early morning yesterday resulted in six undergraduates being injured.

Two of the injured were admitted to the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama and the other four, were treated and discharged from the Ragama and Kiribathgoda hospitals.

University sources said that one student faction had slashed their rivals with knives as the latter were on their way to the university library.

Police were rushed to disperse irate undergraduates following the attack and they were sent to respective hostels by university buses.Acting police spokesman DIG Maxi Proctor told The Island that security had been tightened in the university with police personnel deployed from the Kriribathgoda police.

He said that four injured students were discharged after treatment by the Ragama Teaching Hospital and Kiribathgoda Hospital, but two others were still warded in the Ragama hospital.

"This clash originated three months ago among two student factions divided on political ideologies," Dean of the Science Faculty Prof. Nalin de Silva said.

He said that one student faction has a majority in the faculty and one has the majority in the hostel.

However, Prof. Silva said that he asked President Mahinda Rajapaksa to intervene to solve the problem as university administration kept silent on the issue.

He accused the UNP and JVP students of backing the faction that carried out the knife attack.

Spokesman for one student faction alleged that Prof. de Silva wanted to maintain a group of students who only tolerate his political views and they were victimized by them.

"They always try to suppress others," he said.

Spokesman for the Students Council of the University Janaka Bandara said that the Science Faculty students union was not under their control and they had no involvement in yesterday’s incident.

The pro – JVP student union said that Faculty Dean always tried to put the responsibility for clashes on them.

"We strongly deny any involvement as claimed by the Dean," Bandara said adding "it’s an internal conflict in the Science Faculty."

There are two separate investigations conduct by the university administration and the Kiribathgoda Police into yesterday’s clash.

Protest if demands not met in Budget, say teachers

The Ceylon Teachers Service Union yesterday called on the Government to increase public expenditure on education to 10% from the current 2.59% as low investments in education will cause the country’s education system to spiral downwards and threatened to protest if their requests are not met in the 2012 Budget.

The union’s secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe said the Government has allocated Rs.33.25 billion for the Education Ministry and Rs.24.47 billion for the Higher Education Ministry in the 2012 Budget.

He said these are meagre sums when compared to the allocation of Rs.229.94 billion for the Urban Development Ministry, Rs.144.57 billion for the Ports & Highways Ministry, Rs.124.22 billion for the Finance and Planning Ministry and Rs.104.57 billion for the Economic Development Ministry.

“There is a vast difference in the allocation of money invested by the Government in education and health as opposed to road and urban development and other areas. Education and Health are the most vital areas that the Government should focus on,” Mr. Jayasinghe said.

The union said that public school teachers have not received promotions in over three years and many have not received their pensions.

“We have been making these demands for years but they have been falling on deaf years. Nevertheless we will fight for these demands,” he said. (By Olindhi Jayasundere)

Cbo Uni. administration advises parents of  suspended U’grads

November 9, 2011, 9:45 pm

by Dasun Edirisinghe

The Colombo University administration yesterday held a meeting with parents of Management faculty undergraduates who were allegedly involved in a clash which led to closure of the faculty two weeks ago.

Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama told The Island that 15 students were suspended for allegedly being involved in the clash and they were asked to submit explanations.

"None of the parents were aware of the incident," she said adding the parents were advised to pay attention to their children’s daily activities.

The Colombo Management faculty was closed on October 25 following clashes over ragging incidents. The faculty premises were declared out of bounds to all students except for the first-year undergraduates.

A conflict between the two factions in the Management Faculty had prevailed for several years.

However, the faculty was to re - open on Tuesday (08) only for third year students to sit the examinations.

Prof. Hirimburegama said that only few students of the final year created trouble, but innocent students too have had to suffer due to their acts.

Some undergraduates, she said, did not participate in Wednesday’s discussions and they were the trouble makers.

"We will take necessary disciplinary action against the suspended students or advise them once they submit their explanations," Prof. Hirimburegama said.

She said that the faculty had opened for the final year examinations and it would re–open for second year students as soon as possible.

U’grads allege female student  in trouble for calling VC

November 9, 2011, 9:40 pm

by Dasun Edirisinghe

Undergraduates allege Vice Chancellor of the Colombo University, Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama is targeting a second-year female student for seeking an explanation from her regarding the recent undue delay in the bus available for students.

Responding to a query by The Island, Convener of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Sanjeewa Bandara said that the decision to hold a disciplinary inquiry was a move by the university administration to suppress the student community. Bandara alleged that the university administration had gone to the extent of writing to her parents and her school in a bid to embarrass her.

Bandara said that the university administration had reacted angrily to the student’s telephone call to the VC on Oct. 25 after the closure of the Management Faculty following a clash between two factions. She had called the VC from the university’s female hostel in Boralesgamuwa.

Bandara claimed that the VC had cut off the line saying it was not under her purview.

Vice Chancellor Hirimburegama told The Island that there was nothing wrong in students contacting her over the phone seeking relief. She said the student had sounded very rude over the telephone demanding to know why the bus was late. She said students should not be allowed to act in such a highhanded manner.

Free education has no meaning if we fail to gear it to suit 21st century needs - Ranil

November 8, 2011, 9:58 pm

by Lalaji Manawadu

Ambalangoda: "If we are unable to gear the education system suitable for the 21st century, free education in the country would be meaningless. There is no value if we impart only what was available in the age-old education system. Our schools and other educational institutes should prepare students to fit into the needs of the 21st century," said the Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremasinghe presiding over a meeting held at D. Chandradasa Home for the Aged in Batapola.

"We have international schools and foreign universities set up in the country to suit the present day needs. They charge fees. It is vital to allocate more funds from the Parliament to implement a fitting education system suitable for the 21st century, to other children who attend the state schools and universities," he said.

The ceremony was held to offer scholarships to 100 selected school children by the DC Group to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the group and the 80th birth commemoration of the late D. Chandradasa.

The Opposition Leader also said that education was essential for all for the society to march forward. Without an education the future of a society would be bleak. Whether one was rich or poor he or she must be educated. Children should make good use of school education without fail. Well educated ones would have the chance to be good politicians or get good employment opportunities. Education system in this 21st century was different to the one imparted in the past.

"Today it is quite essential to have a knowledge of computers. English as well as other languages, Mathematics and business studies have become popular. When we were schooling we only wrote our notes in the exercise book. Today not only in developed countries like America but also the poorest country has to adopt an education system suitable for the 21st century. In those countries children learn by computer. We are still reading books," he said.

He praised the DC Group for annually spending about Rs. 3 million on poor children’s education.

Chief incumbent monk of Subradaramaya, Batapola Ven. Batapola Nanda Thera, Chairman of DC Group, D. Mahesh Chandradasa, Galle district MP and UNP spokesman, Gayantha Karunatillake, SPC Chief Minister, Shan Wijelal, SPC member, Jayantha Jayaweera, Scholarship winners, B. Samira Priyanganie and Mahesh Suranga also spoke.