Information has been received that certain vested interests are attempting to undermine Sri Lankas hard gained stability by creating student unrest. The students should be aware of such evil forces, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.
Discipline has eroded among the students of schools and universities alike. It has fallen to such ebb that some have even resorted to assaulting Vice Chancellors like what happened at the Ruhuna University recently. This is not what parents expect from their children, he said addressing the male and female school cadets at the National Cadet Corps Training Centre at Rantembe yesterday.
"A sizable amount of tax payers money is being invested in childrens education, expecting them to become good and responsible citizens and contribute towards the development of this country," the Defence Secretary added. "I served in an American university for about eight years. I never saw any ragging there. Ragging or navaka vadaya is a vadaya (cruelty). Likewise, I never saw students boycotting classes or lectures there. This is because they spend a large amount of money to enter those institutions," Rajapaksa reiterated.
Sri Lanka utilizes tax payers money to provide free education to its children. Hence the students should strive to gain maximum advantage of this and should not become pawns of those hatching various conspiracies to destablise this country, he said. "It is extremely important that students do not become willing or unwilling partners in these international conspiracies and bring to naught the ongoing and planned development of this country," warned the one time Sri Lanka Army Lt. Colonel and the current Defence Secretary, while also urging the parents to be extra vigilant of such moves.
"When they go out of their homes and families for the first time to obtain higher education, the students should remember that they also carry the expectations of their parents and loved ones on their young shoulders. They expect the children to become responsible citizens and contribute to the development of a better society," he added. "We need to build a disciplined society. If you look closely at countries which have developed speedily, you will always notice that their society has been disciplined," added the Defence Secretary.