Committee looking into ragging incidents to begin sessions soon

The government appointed committee to probe ragging in universities and provide relief to the affected persons will begin its sittings soon to hear the grievances of the victims.

The Committee met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to discuss plans to reduce ragging.

It was decided that Vice Chancellors should be empowered to prevent ragging incidents and steps should also be taken to protect the VCs as they could face threats in trying to stop ragging or in trying to take action against the offenders.

The President said more group assignments should be given to the students and opportunities for self-studies should be improved.

Another step suggested was making English and Information Technology compulsory subjects for students.

The seven-member committee headed by former Supreme Court Judge Saleem Marsoof includes former ViceChancellor Prof Narada Warnasooriya, University Grants Commission (UGC) Vice Chairman Prof Janitha Liyanage, Ven Magammana Pragnayananda thera and Rev Fr Dr Bennet Shantha Fernando, former Uva Wellassa University Vice chancellor Chandra Embuldeniya and Prasanna Lal Alwis.

The Committee is due to sit at least once a week to hear the issues of the victims and look into providing relief for them.

They had already received 300 complaints and expect to complete the work in three months. They will be looking into cases in the 2014/15 and 2018/19 periods.

Higher Education Minister Bandula Gunewardene earlier said, a large number of the students had quit their education in universities due to ragging. Some of them travelled overseas for education later, while others had given up their studies.