22 May 2011
The United National Party (UNP) today condemned the government’s decision to go a ‘leadership’ training programme for university new entrants inside military camps.“There is no legal provision to conduct such programme and it has not been discussed in parliament as well”, the UNP said in a statement.
“This type of training is not relevant to the respective courses in the universities which they will be following. Forcing students to attend such programme is against the laws of the country. Students, parents, the opposition and unions have opposed this arbitrary move”, the party said.
“Universities are places where intellectuals are generated. There is no system where directions given from the top are taken without a proper evaluation. The university is place where there should be views exchanged. But in this case the government has set aside such traditions and are involved in the militarization of the students”, the statement added.
“In a democratic country what is needed is to solve problems by dialogue and discussions. The UNP wishes to lodge its strong protest about government’s decision to train university new entrants in military camps”, the party added.
ST