President defers blame from students

• Says they are tools of political agendas, wants public and private education to follow law 

 President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said some “politically indecent” groups were attempting to show the country that the Government was acting to weaken free education by depriving students of medical faculties in government universities of opportunities.

“They are misleading the university students. I don’t blame any university student for the actions of those who conspire to use students as tools. These are done by undisciplined political groups,” he said. 

The President was speaking at a ceremony held at Lankapura Maha Vidyalaya, Polonnaruwa.

He pointed out that nearly 250,000 students sit for the Advanced Level exam annually and 90,000 of them were eligible for university education but university admission is offered only to 25,000 students.

“To make the dreams of the rest of the students a reality, state universities as well as private universities with higher standards should be established. We cannot limit the educational rights of any child at any time in the country,” he said.

The President stated that nearly 80,000 people went abroad for higher education annually. He said it was a matter of concern that children of low-income families were going abroad for education with money acquired through the pawning of their houses and lands.

“The Government has taken the policy decision that the private sector university or educational institute should provide education according to the rules recognised by the Government,” he said.

The President declared open the new two-storied building of Vijitha Primary School in Pulathisigama. 

Chief Minister of the North Central Province Peshala Jayarathne, Provincial Minister Sampath Sri Nilantha and the principal of the school Sarath Hemakumara also participated in this event.