SJB calls on Govt. to withdraw KNDU Bill, provide space for broader discussion

Thursday, 29 July 2021 02:31 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella addressing the press yesterday

By Asiri Fernando

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella yesterday called on the Government to withdraw the controversial Kotelawala National Defence University Bill (KNDU) and provide space for a broader discussion on it.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP urged the Government to enter into stakeholder consultation of the bill and allow educators, academics and students to have their say.

“We are being told that the Government plans to table the bill on Friday. Due to the strong resistance against the bill, we don’t know if the Government will go ahead with it. Even at this late stage, we call on the Government to withdraw the bill and have a consultative process with relevant groups on the matter. Such a bill should only be moved forward with bipartisan support, which will protect the free education policy of the country,” Kiriella urged.

Addressing the press, Kiriella charged that the bill would open the door to private higher education in the country, something which threatened to leave behind those who could not afford it. He warned that, if approved by Parliament, the bill could lead to a network of private universities outside the purview of the University Grants Commission.

“There has been no consultation on the bill which has a major impact on higher education in the country. Academics and university lecturers have not been consulted. Is this another step towards militarisation? Are they planning to militarise the entire education system?” Kiriella questioned.

The veteran politician argued that higher education in the country should be regulated by a civilian entity and that control of such should not be left in the hands of the military.

Kiriella warned that the move by the Government was ill-advised and would lead to the downfall of the free higher education system of the country. He pointed out that teachers and university lecturers had voiced their concerns and had resorted to trade union action over the bill. Kiriella also recalled that there were failed attempts to introduce a similar bill to Parliament when the previous Government was in power.