2011-05-22
A building complex in Buttala belonging to the Sabaragamuwa university has been taken by the Higher Education Ministry to commence a military school, it is learnt.
Residents in Buttala have raised objections to the move with the Higher Education Ministry saying that the buildings should not be used for a military establishment.
Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne admitted that residents in the area had met him and said that the buildings have been requested by the Defence Ministry to commence a vocational training institute under the military and not for a military camp.
He said the institute would not only house military personnel, but 50% of the students in the area would also be given the chance to register at the institute. Therefore, he observes that there was no point in keeping the buildings under the ministry since the people in the area were also going to be benefited.
When asked as to what vocational training would be given to soldiers at such an institution, the secretary said he was not aware of it.
LNW