POLICE POSTS IN UNIVERSITIES
Posted on December 24th, 2011

Sudath Gunasekara21.12. 2011

Apropos Gamini GunawardhanaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s article in the SundayIslandof 11th instant on the above subject I thought to add one of my own experiences in this regard in support of his practical approach.

Gaminis note is an eye opener and food for thought for everybody. This is good stuff I think not only for our arrogant and conceited politicians who think that they know everything and only their will and sankalpaya should prevail but also to everyone dealing with higher education. It is how an educated, intelligent, cultured and matured person would naturally look at this issue. But of course you canƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t expect that wisdom from a politician of the day.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  I would like to recall my own experience at Moratuwainstitute ofHNDE in 1993, when I was Secretary to the Ministry of Technical Education.

That was the time when Moratuwa students were permanently on strike and every other day they come with placards and demonstrate before the Ministry of Higher Education on the road at the Ward Placeopposite the Lipton round about shouting slogans against the administration. As I remember it was the third or fourth day after I assumed duties as the Secretary to the newly created Ministry of Technical Education to which the Subject of Technical Education was transferred. The students stormed the Ministry premises and a delegation was taken in for negotiations. The meeting was presided over by M D P Peiris the then Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It was also attended by my good friend Professor LuxmanƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Jaytilaka former Vice Chancellor Peradeniya who happened to be theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Chairman of the National Education Commission at that time. The Principal of the Institute was also present. I too attended the meeting as the New Secretary in charge of the subject of Technical Education. After the students presented their case and no sooner Mr. Peiris outlined his position the student leaders got up from their seats in protest and said they are walking out as they have no faith in the proceedings as it was the same old story they have heard in all their previous meetings with the Ministry officials. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The leader of the delegation said that it was the 127th time they are meeting the officials of the ministry and they also have met the previous Minister Higher Education Mr. Hameed 47 times who promised to alleviate their grievances but nothing has happened up to date. In their own words as I could remember this is how they reacted.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Lekam tumani api me karanayagena sakachcha kirimata ekasiyavisihath watavak mehe avith tiyenawa. Ametituma hatalishath vatwak munagehuna. Ape prasna visadana bavata likitha poronduwakuth ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ dunna.Namuth ada wenaturu prasna tibunu tenamai. Me sakachchawa genath apata kisi visvasayak neha.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  E nisa api iwathwa yanawaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ and they all rose to their feet.

Then I interrupted and asked the Chairman whether I could speak to the children. He said yes and only then he introduced me as the new Secretary to the Ministry in charge of Technical Education.

Then I said, Karunakarala oya daruwo tikak wadiwenawada.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Oya duruwao kiyana kathawa ettak nam mama unath okama tama ganna tiranaya. Kohoma unath aluth Lekam vasayen mama kemetie oya daruwoth ekka me prsanaya gena katha karanta.Hebeimehedi neweiƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Oyagollange ayatanayedi. Oyagolla kemetinam adama havasa 2.30 ta mama ehata ennam. They agreed.

So as appointed I went to Moratuwa with Luxman sharp at 2.25. Prof Luxman had already prepared a report on this issue as the Chairman of the National Education Commission as such he knew the ramifications of the issue. That is why took him with me.

When I was about to leave for Moratuwa my good friend the Principal of theMaradanaTechnicalCollegerang me up and advised me to take few police officers also if I am going there as the situation there is very tense and volatile. I smiled at his suggestion and told him that as for me there is no such need as I am going there only to solve their problems and after all they are like my own children. I also told my friend that I had been the Principal of a School with nearly thousand students before joining the SLAS. And this is nothing new to me. Any way I thanked him for his concern over my safety. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

As we went to Moratuwa the boys and girls were assembled right in front of the office. They were dancing and singing enjoying their usual adolescence. I asked the driver to take the vehicle right there. They immediately stopped singing and dancing. As we got down from the car they dispersed.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  As got down from the vehicle I told them. ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Ha ha oyagollage wede digatama geniyanta me kale kiyane neti sindu natanne neti netum aye kawadda karanne. Api awe oya gollange prasna gena kata karanta. Ara ude Amatyanseta giya ayagen niyojitayo pasdenek vitarak enta.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

There were posters and banners all over the place as usual demanding this and that. Most of them were red and black. The premises resembled a market place just after a JVP political rally.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ We sat down inside the office along with the Principal and I opened the discussion. First I talked to them and inquired about their names, age, schools, A level results and family backgrounds etc. Having thereby collected the background information I wanted to build up my discussion and put them at ease I shifted on to the second phase of the discussion.

Matath innawa oyagollangemaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  vayase daruvo tundenek. E nisa mama isselama kiyanta kemetie mama oygolla diha balanne magema daruvo diha balana vidiyata kiyala. Mama kemati ne mage daruvo ayale yanawa dakinta. Den balanta oyagolla ge wayasa. 24, 25 samaharu 29 30 tath kittuwela. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ oyagolla boho denekuta A. B. C grading tiyenawa. E anuwa etta wasayenma oya aya inta one Visvavidyale. Bohodena passwela rassawalata gihinuth inta one kale den. Ehe ida neti nisa mehe evala.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Ehema netuwa vibhage pel nisa newei mehe inne. Eka oya daruwange waradak newei. Kramaye warada. Mama e gena oya daruwo wenuwen kanagatu wenawa. Namuth Matawath oya daruwantawath den ekata kalaheki deyak nehe. Den kalpana karanta one me tatwen goda ena vidiyak. Pelapali gihin, poster gahala. Ke gahala kawadawath e satana dinaganta behe. MAtaka tiyagantaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sri Pade naginta tiyenne eka parak vitarak newei kiyala. Koi paren hari kanda nagina eka ne wedagat.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  E nisa oya daruwo adhistana karargranta one mehe vibhage ikmanata pass welaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  eliyata gihilla ikmanata ingineruwek wennne kohomda kiyana eka gena misa ehema netuwa poster gahamin, satanpata kiyaminƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  pelapali yana eka newei.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Pattara karayek avith me poster , pelapali wala pintura aran pattare dammoth ita passƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚© vibhage pass unath me kapeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Moratuwe HNDE kivama rassawak ganta labena ekak nehe.Apoara Mortuwe strike karayo neda kiyalai oyagolla diha balanne. E nisa api daruweni yathartaya terum ganta one. Eka karanta oyagollanta puluwan bava mama dannawa. Mokada mole tiyena buddhimath aya nisa. E anuwai katayutu karanata one. Etakotai wetila inna walen goda entapuluwan. Aluth Lekam vasayen mama sudanam oya gollange getalu visandaganta uparima sahaya denta.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ape kale nam 23 24 wenakotaapiUniversityeken pitawela rssawalatath gihilla, Samaharu kasadath bendala. Oyagolla tawamath mehe poster gahanawa. pelapali yanawa. Manussa jiivitaye vatinama kale wana bhadra yauvanaya aparade gevi yanawa. Me vidiyata digatama giyoth tawa tika kalayak yanakota oyagollanne vatina tarunya gevila gihin as penenne neti,kanahenne neti, nahara viyalunu, ilpunu mahallan bawata patwenawa. Etakota oyagolla tamantath wedakneti, demavpiyantath wedak neti ratatath wedak neti pirisak bawata patwenawa neda.

Den balanta oya ayage demwpiyo ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ noka, nobii, dukmahansivela, idakadam ukas tiyala netna vikunala samaharavita kanakara pawa ukaskarala oya daruwanta ugannala tiyene monataram balaporutthu tiyagenada. Mage putha duwa dostara kenek , ingineruwek wenawa dakinta kiyala E aya sihina mawanta eti. Adatath e balaporottu hise daragena, tamange puta duwa loku mahattayek , loku nona kenek wela lassanat endagena car ekakin gedara enawa dkinta des dalwagena para diha balagena innawa eti. Itin eƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ayage balaporottuƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  mehema pissu kelala indala kohomada isthakaranne.

Mama me okkoma kiyanne oyagollanta tiyena adaraya nisa. E hinda me pissu atheradala honda daruwo wage issellama vibhagayen samath wenta balanta. Ita passƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚© rassawkata gihin, ara duppath demavpiyange gindarath nivala, Kasadayak ehemath bendagena manussayo wenta balanta. Api ita passƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚© me asadharanakam walata viruddhawa satan karamu. Amataka kranta epa me wage samaja asadharanakam tiyenne ada vitarak newei. Edath tibuna .hetath tiyei. Eka loke heti.

Den Honda daruvo wage hondata hitala balanta. Koi maganda toraganne kiyala

Hondai den itin kiyanta mata ehema karanta beriwenta oya gollanta tiyena prasna monawada kiyala .

After that without a hum promptly they submitted their demands.

I give you the five demands they listed below.

1 Appointment of a Director to be in charge of the Institute

2 Request for a copy of the Luxman Jayatilaka report

3ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Admission of all those who have passed the entrance examination in the previous years.

4 Shifting the HNDE course venue toMaradanaTechnicalCollege

5 Provide the Institute with some basic equipments listed.

Thereafter I promised to give a copy of the Luxman Jayatilaka Report next morning on the undertaking that it will not be misused as it is not yet officially out and asked the President and Secretary of the Students Union to come to my office at 9 oƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢clock in the morning.

Also I told them I will appoint a Director within two weeks the latest and send admission letters to all those who are qualified to enter the Institute as soon as they call off the strike, return to their classes and resume studies. If they do it today I will post the admission letters tomorrow I told them.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The equipments I told them would be provided as soon as possible without any undue delay.

Regarding the request for the shifting of the HNDE Course to Maradana, I told them I need time as it had to be studied carefully in details before a decision is taken as it has wide implications.

They agreed and paid a glowing tribute to me for agreeing for all their demands. Thereafter they also did not forget to follow the two of us to the car and even to see that the doors were properly shut after we got in.

The whole thing did not take even 15 minutes. That is how a long standing impasse was sorted out in 15 minutesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

On our way back Luxman was full of praise for the way I resolved a problem that appeared to be intractable and was hanging on for years.

Follow up

1 Next day the two boys were there at 8.30 at my office at theWard Place.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  I gave them a copy of the Jayatilaka Report as promised of course reminding them of the undertaking they made at the meeting we had with them in the previous evening. They also did not forget to kneel down before me and thank me once again for the way I sorted out their 3 year old struggle.

2 At 9 OƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢clock I got a call from the Principal of the Institute expressing her surprise for the way how the 3 year long student agitation came to an end. She said, immediately after two of us left the premises the previous day the students removed all the banners and posters and even cleaned up the whole place before they left for the day promising her that they all will report for classes next morning. She was telling me that it was like a magic for her. I asked her to officially confirm the end of the strike and resumption of classes within an hour. As soon as the official confirmation was received I asked the office to send out Admission letters to all those who were qualified to gain Admission.

Early next morning I visited the Institute to see how things were going and I was happy to see that I had achieved the mission to my full satisfaction. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ I also made it appoint to meet the staff and the student leaders and brief them on their new challenge.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 3 Immediately I called for applications for the post of Director and within one week I was able to appoint Professor Arthanayaka of the Open University with clear instructions of his mandate. I also gave himƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  an official vehicle and I must mentioned it here that he did a wonderful job as its first Director although I had to leave the Ministry in few days as I was appointed as the Secretary to Mrs. Sirimavo BandaranaikeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s new Ministry after the formation of the new government.

Lessons one has to learn from this experience.

One has to look at University Students as your own children in their prime adolescence, by nature, they are rebels. If they are not, then they are not youths at all. They should not be mistaken for factory workers or labourers in a market place. After all they are the cream of the intelligentsia who will turn out to be the future leaders of this country tomorrow in all fields.

Few suggestions for better discipline

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Finally I may also like to remind those in authority that there are many more urgent things to do than posting volatile police posts and punish the students for trifle things to put the Universities on the correct path enabling them to face the challenges of the new brave world. What one has to develop in Universities in my view is intellectual confrontation and certainly not authoritarian confrontation. Only such intellectual enlightenment will make these undergraduates true future leaders. Vidya dadati Vinayam. Knowledge begets discipline. Trying to apply it the other way about is foolish if not idiotic. After all we must not forget that the motto of the University is Sarvasya lochanam sastram, which means knowledge is the eye for everything. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Therefore what is lacking and needed in places of higher studies I think today is academic discipline not political or military discipline as some people think. Proper academic discipline keep them involved in academic and aesthetics pursuits so that they will have no idle time to waste on nefarious activities like ragging, party politics, demonstrations and riots.

Of course this is not to say the least that disciplinary measures are not required at the seats of higher learning. But such disciplinary measures should be ultimately geared to achieve the basic objectives of University education. Things like the present day sadistic ragging; organizing students to achieve political ends by interested parties I think should be stopped forthwith. A proper student counseling scheme by the University staff might bring this confusion down to naught. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In the first place the students must be clearly told as they come in, why they have come to the Universities. This is never done as far as I know.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  When policy makers and politicians are divorced from the purpose of University education; University teachers also get divorced from the basic objectives of University education; and when there is no proper student counseling naturally students also get divorced from their primary aims of University life and as a result they engage in other nefarious pursuits. In fact the students are never told why they are there. It is this fertile vacuum that is being presently exploited by political parties and anti social elements to further their own selfish ends. These students become a catƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s paw in the ugly and vicious hands of the aforesaid elements. If that vacuum is properly filled I opine student will engage in things of their own and make full use of this newly won independence to excel in academic excellenceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  that build both discipline and character that in turn will make them useful to themselves and the society at large.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It must also be noted that brake down in discipline today is not something peculiar to the seats of higher studies though it has reached the zenith now a days where students assault their own teachers and student tell what the teachers should teach. Look at the Parliament the so-called supreme body of legislature in the country. Look at the behavior of politicians both inside and outside Parliament. Today people identify the most popular politicians with characters like Mervin, Duminda or Muthuhettigama.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The fact that the term ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”MagodistumaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ has now come to stay permanently in the media to designate the politician alone is enough to understand the true public assessment of the character of the present day politicians in his country. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

So in this scenario total breakdown in discipline and morals has to be viewed as a common malady that has reached almost incurable levels in our whole system. Therefore restoring discipline and moral standards in this country has to be addressed as a top priority lest the whole social system break down to a no return situation.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Coming back to the subject of student violence we all know it is a very complicate issue. Abundance of enough spare time due to absence of clear academic discipline, perversity and social hatred, ignorance of the purpose of University education among the students and apparent uncertainty of their future and wide spread social injustice and party politics could be cited as some major factors that have brought about this unfortunate situation in our Universities. Therefore, a serious attempt has to be made immediately to arrest this tragic situation before everything go out of control.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Ad hoc and ill-conceived programmes like leadership training will only further aggravate the situation. It reminds me the famous Sinhala saying ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Atisarayata amunda gesiima. Atisaraya has to be treated with the proper medicine. You cannot cure it by wearing a loin cloth. It is as simple as that. This proverb shows that our ancient villagers were more knowledgeable than the present day politicians and policy makers in the field of education. The appointment of a high powered and competent Commission to go fully in to this matter I think is a crying need of the hour. Meanwhile I suggest that as a first step in putting the seats of higher learning on the correct tract ban all students unions and activities other than those directly connected with academic, student welfare and aesthetic pursuits

Is it not better for the government to try to first put the national Universities in to order before they dabble in International Universities that might even further aggravate this problem. In this regard as a first step shouldnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t we free our Universities from all types political interferences and allow them to grow as independent institutions of academic and cultural excellence.

10 Responses to “POLICE POSTS IN UNIVERSITIES”

  1. Kit Athul Says:

    Lasantha, I know your problem. It is difficult to read and follow SINHALA written in English letters. why because the pronunciation of the wrod written in English has to be established in your brain before, one can understand the complete sentance; and it takes time. What Sudath did here is to give an exact report of how he proceeded with his new post and how the students reacted to his actions. I hope you understand. I have taught at Various Universities, I am retired now and I have this experience, in a different format, but I live in USA. If a student threatens a professor he is taken out of the class in handcuffs and charged, then he is produced in front of a judge the very day or the next day. Now do you get the full story of Sudath?

  2. Raj Says:

    This is one of the best articles I have seen in this foum. Kit Athul is also quite right, and thank you both. How Sudath handled the situation is commendable. Taking out a few leaders at a time and talking to them individually is the common practice of an experienced teacher. Most students are quite reasonable when spoken to individually. As a whole group it is unmanageable. These students have been mislead for a long time, in a big way. They have been made to believe that the authority is always against them. Rebelling is the only way they know to react to a situation. Sudath must be appointed as a consultant trainer to university management, and perhaps to politicians as well.

  3. ranjit Says:

    You cannot call these rowdies, students.They are criminals and only way to control them was to be tough because these are JVP affliated thugs who control the universities around the country.They poison the minds of the students as soon as they enter the university. They bully them and bring these innocent children to their knees by pressurizing to do the unexpected. They make innocent children to suffer mentally and treat sometimes like animals so these so called union leaders should be brought to justice to face criminal charges for harassing innocent children, sexually abusing, for misconduct, and breaking the peace by disturbing day to day activities of the public by arranging unneccessary protests and agiations around the country.

    JVP political leaders too should be responsible for this situation. If you allow these JVP bullies and thugs to do what they are doing today there will be another insurrection very soon therefore we must stand together students,parents and the Government to put a full stop for their coward activities before there is another bloodshed in the country. I think we have to be more tough with these criminals and put a strong force to deal with. No excuse for these thugs of the JVP. Innocent children should be protected at all costs and allow them to carry on their higher studies to make an inteligent citizens of Motherlanka..

  4. Dilrook Says:

    The admission policy must be changed.

    Instead of this failed district quota scheme, use an ethnicity based scheme. That will be fair to all ethnic groups.

    74% of students in taxpayer funded universities must be Sinhalese
    12% of taxpayer funded universities must be Sri Lankan Tamils
    8% of taxpayer funded universities must be Muslims
    5% of taxpayer funded universities must be Upcountry Tamils
    1% of taxpayer funded universities must be others

    Or any other updated census data. Student data should be matched to their/family census record. This will also ensure illegal immigrants won’t get free university education.

    It will ensure only the top students around the country in each ethnic group will make it to the university. They will be intent on leaning than violence. Building a nationally competitive school system around the country is the responsibility of the government.

  5. Naram Says:

    We have seen how the good intentions of folks like the esteemed writer disappear in the harsh andunforgiving facts ofreality. Students coming totheUni facing lecturs as onein a few hundred, at timesin a riegn languagere easy prey to scheming ‘Senior Nobles’ [Jyeshta Uthumo}. A period of leadership traing was thought to be the answer to provide a perion of getting to know each other and realise the tasks oahead to contributing to society as valued individuals. However recent events from Ruhuna Uni about a girl ragged to leave her in an unconscious state show that there is some way to go yet. Another idea to try may be the Mums and uncles system where ch student is allocated a mentor guide possibly from the same subjects – to act asa mediator and a sounding board for lecturers to learn how their subject material is percieved. I do not think that is the answer though it is worth trying. Why is ragging absent in Japanor China but prevalent in Indiaand Sri lanka. High student/ teacher ratio, students coming from semi literate familybackgrounds would have been part of the answer but when students can maul a senior lecturer under the conniving eyes of a political party perhaps the answer must be demanded from these political leaders.

  6. Kamal Says:

    What is the problem of having police on the campus?
    How about creating a special Degree holding force for the Universities?
    They will have the understanding and dispel the prejudice of the undergraduates that they are above the ordinary cops. The special University police force could request the support from the other forces as and when the need arises.

  7. nandaguptha Says:

    Sudath’s approach on this issue is commendable. I totally agree with the way he handled the situation. One has to read the article with the understanding of the environment exist during that era. His approach to the students came from his love for mankind. He did not look at the students as rowdies, but as children who have been misguided, mistreated, misused and blindfolded by the JVP who took them on a ride while they were getting old in the universities wasting their most valuable time of their youth. Also Sudath explained how these activities could affect the student’s life, their loss personally. He chose the path to talk, listen and explain rather than dictate to them. Sudath analyzed the entire situation as a problem solver, from how to help point of view. He saw the problem, he told the students that it is not their fault why they were aging in the university rather than graduating on time a major issue even students did not realized. He got the students focused on a real issue and the demands they had were trivial compare to the real issue. He explained the problem as a system (“Kramaya”) issue, (politicization of student unions) rather than blaming the students. There is lot to learn from this exercise. I graduated from Kelaniya Campus in 1973 and later from a well-known university in the USA. We could not compare the activities and processes but there is lot to learn. I am working with a young graduate from Moratuwa campus and so amazed with his brilliance, he comes from a lower middle class family in down south. I am sure he will be very successful in his life. He has no time to blame the people who were born to rich parents. He does not blame for his parents being lower middle class. That is not his focus, he is not misguided, but he wants to be a productive citizen who could contribute to the mankind.

  8. Samson Says:

    Good.

  9. Kit Athul Says:

    What is missing is who was the minister of Education and did he appoint Sudath for this position? Next, Who was the Director of Education at that time and did he appoint Sudath?

  10. Kit Athul Says:

    Some unknown reason Lasantha’s comments have been removed? I hope he understood the situation Dr. Sudath was in at that time. It was some divine help he received, which protected him been attached by the students. Police presence is absolutely essential to weed out the brain washed common law criminals from the Sri Lanka University system. Dr. Sudath’s article is timely and meaningfull. Now I realize that it was irrelevant who appointed him; at the time of D,B. Wijethunga the whole country’s education system was in chaos!

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