KNDU bill: Decision should be made with the institute’s objectives in mind: Ed. Min
The debate on the controversial General Sir Kotelawala National Defence University (KNDU) Bill will continue on a later date prior to approval, as it came under heavy criticism, and demands to withdraw or introduce amendments were also made in Parliament this week.
Streets protests against the bill also took place this week, which led to many arrests and a chaotic situation between civilians and Police officers.
“The identity of the KNDU needs to be preserved. It should not be diluted. It cannot be in the same mould of a traditional university. In that case it will be superfluous and redundant. If it is to enrich the university system of the country and make a worthwhile contribution then it must maintain its separate identity. That does not mean that it cannot act in an arbitrary or capricious manner,” said Education Minister G .L. Peiris.
“It must function at all times subject to the supervision and control of the University Grants Commission (UGC) which is responsible for the maintenance of all institutions of higher learning in the country. If the Parliament believes the degree of control is inadequate and it needs to be buttressed and re-enforced, not only by the Opposition but the Government, a series of amendments will be introduced,” he told Parliament.
Prof. Peiris requested for the debate to continue on another day, for an informed and considerate judgment to be made, with the objectives of the KNDU in mind.
“Sri Lanka will violate the Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom for which our country has ratified. We are not against a military university providing specialised education for cadet officers and teaching military related subjects. But if they are to teach civilian students it should come under the UGC. The freedom of speech and debate and the power to question even the government is essential,” said Opposition Parliamentarian Harini Amarasooriya.
She said the Government is trying to create two parallel higher education systems, once coming under the defence budget and another under the education budget.
“Militarising the education system, will have a huge impact on the country’s higher education sector of,” she said.
The United National Party (UNP) also called upon the Government to immediately withdraw the proposed KNDU Bill and hold further consultations with the relevant stakeholders.
“The bill was originally presented by the UNP Government in April 2018. However, following Opposition the then Government withdrew the bill and decided to hold further discussions with relevant stakeholders,” a UNP spokesperson said.
The UNP urged the Government to withdraw the bill and proceed with necessary amendments following public consultation.
“We are opposing this decision as the regulatory body and supplier cannot be the same. The UGC should be brought in. If the KNDU is serving nonmilitary students it must be regulated by the UGC. We do not want to limit the intellectual freedom of civilian students, and we need to provide them with intellectual space,” said Opposition Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne.
Trade union activists and student union members were arrested this week for holding protests violating quarantine rules.
Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Convener Wasantha Mudalige said the Government is attempting to pass the bill by exploiting the current COVID situation.
“Instead of prioritising COVID related education issues, the Government is attempting to privatise KNDU,” he said.