SJB calls on Govt. to stop suppression of free education campaigners

SJB Parliamentarians Manusha Nanayakkara and Rohini Kumari Wijerathna addressing the media yesterday

By Asiri Fernando

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday called on the Government to allow the democratic space needed to criticise policies and to release the recently detained teachers’ union activists.

“The State has forced those who spoke up for free education into quarantine after they were arrested and granted bail. The Government is trying to suppress those who criticise their policies. This needs to stop. We call on the Government to release them,” Manusha Nanayakkara said addressing media yesterday. 

He was joined at the press conference by fellow Opposition MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna.

Nanayakkara said the Government could not cover up its shortcomings by locking up critics.

He blamed the Police and the Government for abusing the powers vested in them and using heavy-handed tactics to break up several peaceful protests. “We will take legal action regarding this type of suppression. We are looking at filing legal action based on the violation of the human rights of the protestors.” 

He warned that the Police should not become a tool for politicians.

Nanayakkara also expressed his displeasure at comments made by Chief Government Whip and Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando, who had labelled as “mindless” those who protested the proposed Kotalawala National Defence University (KNDU) Bill.

“These educators were protesting the risk to the free education of our children and to the creeping militarisation of the education sector,” Nanayakkara explained. He went on to question what had prompted Fernando to use a chair inside Parliament to assault others in 2019.

The SJB MP charged that the Government’s failure to organise a functional online education system would significantly impact the education of an entire generation.

“Does this Government want to create a group of under-educated people?” Nanayakkara questioned, pointing out that the Government must answer for these lapses. 

He urged the President to implement the education-related reforms promised in the lead up to the presidential elections, withdraw the KNDU bill, review the online education system and make it accessible to all the students.

Wijerathna meanwhile stated that the Opposition has no complaints about the existing KDU system for training officer cadets for the armed forces. However, the former educator turned politician said that control of awarding a degree must remain with the Ministry of Higher Education and the University Grants Commission, so as to ensure best standards and practices.

“The SJB stands for quality free education, we will oppose awarding of degrees under the Ministry of Defence. Students will be deprived of their rights through this bill. Freedom of education will be eroded. I see this as a bill to repress students. Students should have room to share opinions with other students, lecturers and professors. We are not against the KDU. We think the bill should be implemented under the UGC.”

Wijerathna also highlighted the need for a broader approach to tackling the child trafficking issue the country is facing. She questioned if the ongoing investigations into the recent case involving a 15-year-old girl, who the Police suspect was sexually abused by dozens of persons through the internet, is being slowed down due to pressure from influential actors. “The SJB will not stand for this. We will fight to get justice for this child.”