Healing process essential to bring back nation to normalcy - FUTA

Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) yesterday called for a national programme to heal the minds of the people who are suffering from tension after the Easter Sunday bombings and as a result of violence that took place on May 13.

FUTA member Dr. Mahen Mendis said at a news conference that a healing process is essential to bring back the nation to normalcy after the tensed period which began since the bombing.

“Healing is essential and a process based on the themes ‘May all beings be happy’ and ‘Love thy neighbours’ should be implemented to heal the minds of the people,” Professor Mendis said.

He also said the government should also carry out its responsibilities effectively and get all political parties to work together without thinking of elections.

Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri who responded to a question with regard to Sharia University in Batticaloa said what is relevant about the institution is the circumstance under which it had been established and not the religion involved in it. “We don’t have an issue with the religion taught in that university but the circumstances under which it had been established,” he said. The issue is that the Secretary Ministry of Higher Education had abused the power he had to establish the institution, he stressed.

Asked whether it is not possible to teach Islamism in mainstream university and whether it is not possible to introduce quality Islamic courses, Dr. Devasiri said Islamism is already taught at the University of Colombo.

FUTA called for setting up of guidelines for schools/educational institutions, workplaces on ensuring safety, security and reducing tensions between communities, guidelines for local level government officers, especially those who liaise closely with the public on dealing with public concerns, fears and for ensuring safety at the local level and provide guidelines for parents and teachers on working with and responding to children who may have fears, concerns regarding recent events.” It is especially important that children are talked to in a way that does not perpetuate stereotypes of different communities, FUTA said. Dr. Wijith Rohan of University of Kelaniya said children of Katuwapitiya are living in fear especially because of news that is being broadcasted on media and are afraid to go to schools. He stressed the need for a healing process.