Tribute to S. B.

By Ven. Galaboda SIRI GNANISSARA Nayaka Maha There

It was reported in the newspapers that a group of undergraduates from Peradeniya University staged a protest when Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake opened a new building complex at the University recently. A similar incident took place when former President J. R. Jayewardene opened a private medical college.

Former Colombo University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera was assassinated in his office presumably due to his elder son being an undergraduate of the private medical college. These events reiterates the responsibility on the part of parents to be mindful and act with caution towards their children.

Parents should bear in mind well that it is time to protect their sons and daughters, without exclusively pursuing luxuries.

Minister Dissanayake should have enquired about the priorities such as lecture rooms, bathrooms, toilets, water supply, health and sanitation, hostels, private boarding houses, dining rooms and kitchens during his visit to the University.

Universities seem to be more pecuniary-minded. Tuition classes held on Saturdays, Sundays and Poya days for external degrees and diplomas, have become money-spinners.

Teachers derive special economic benefits through tuition. At least a part of this income should be utilised for the well-being of students.

Does that happen? The rulers ought to look into it.

Many university students today work after hours. We do not know whether it is legal or illegal. Whatever the case, the economic conditions and domestic problems affect university students. Besides, these organisations and programs lead young people astray and they are not controlled by anyone.

If those educated are reduced to the level of stray animals, what will be the fate of the country?

Those in the administrative field have not given second thought, whether it is necessary to look into the health of the students and their private lives.

Someone must respond to the question, as to who is responsible, for nurturing the students under a good system of administration, for their education and for the management of those who study for three or four years as resident undergraduates.

Of what use are those who enter the administrative fields as sick-people and as persons without any knowledge?

Don't these weak persons become parents one day? If so, what would be the fate of these children?

The country remains even at this present level, because of the remaining twenty-five percent.

The time has come, when the reality of this country should be fully appreciated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne, the Cabinet, Deputy Ministers, MPs and by all those below those ranks.

It is no longer necessary to talk about terrorists and conflicts. Those in power, the people of this land and all, should get together for unity.

Humility, simplicity and contentment are fundamental values of all religions.

Everyone makes mistakes. It is essential to realise the mistakes that have been made. Those who realise their mistakes, will make an attempt to rectify them.

There are those who spoil others' reputation. Parents must accept their faults and correct them.

There is no specific responsibility that has been assigned to the clergy of this country. In such a context, only a handful of people appreciate even this service that is rendered by them.

University students are the lifeblood of the future. They become professors and politicians. They guide the country in worldly and spiritually.

They also become entrepreneurs. They build the future generations of the country.

The country will have no future unless they are properly groomed.

A few ponder over these issues. Those who held high office, own vehicles, occupy official residences and enjoy a variety of comforts do not remember their beginnings. Comforts are a means to render a noble service to the land.

The top priority is discipline. Then comes the rule of law and good governance.

Generally speaking we need versatile people in the field of education and development. Following the demise of Minister Lalith Athulathmudali, we called upon the then President to take over the portfolio of the Ministry of Education held by Athulathmudali who rendered a great service to the country. A significant group of people called upon the President to take over that Ministry. However, the President said that he would appoint two efficient people.

Minister SB is efficient and educated and he can get things done.

He secured his university education in the country. He had to face issues, while he was getting ready to do the needful.

What he and his Deputy Minister had to face at Peradeniya, is quite pathetic.

According to news reports he had ordered the authorities to conduct a disciplinary inquiry into this matter.

There is no authority higher than the Minister in this field. I call upon the Minister, to focus attention again on this matter.

The Minister, who was incarcerated in prison may have acquired an experience about profit and loss, praise and blame.

Compassion and loving-kindness are essential. There are those who lead the students astray. The Minister and the rulers must save the students from that fate.

It is of no use, to evade the issue by imputing the fault on political parties. The root-cause should be treated to bring about a solution. The wound can be healed.

Thailand, China and Malaysia have corrected their administration by winning over University students.

During President Jayewardene's regime when nobody could defuse the problem of nurses, he got, Minister Thondaman (Senior) to solve the problem methodically, but it was done through temporary palliatives.

Those who resort to temporary measures, must proceed on some specific future plans, accepting that there is nothing permanent in the world.

It is futile to regret the past, or to lament about what happened or to curse the past.

Our values have deteriorated. Let the misery and poverty of this land, be an example and a fitting opportunity to enable people to realise the qualities, virtuousness, humanity and wisdom which are greater than wealth.

There is a method, by which something could be done to improve the lot of university students. But, there is hardly anyone, who would guide university students' unions in this direction.

It is not advisable to give razors to monkeys.May the Minister have advisors, who show him the right and proper path. May the student unions too have such advisors.