Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Curb on university ragging

3 May 2010 08:07 am - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

By Melanie Bamunusinghe


Measures are being put in place to curb ragging at universities and the Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Professor Gamaini Samaranayake is planning on implementing a system which involves new students and their parents signing an agreement ensuring that the student will not engage in any ragging activity.

At the National Convention on student discipline, anti-ragging and anti-violence held today, Chief Justice, Asoka de Silva said that even though ragging started in Europe, as of today Sri Lanka is considered the country worst affected by ragging worldwide.

“Ragging is not only happening in the universities of Sri Lanka, but are spreading to other educational institutions such as Technical Colleges at a rapid rate,” Chief Justice Asoka de Silva said.

The Chief Justice also said that a long list of  reasons have led to the decresing standards of educational institutions in Sri Lanka which includes formation of political unions and lawless activities among students.

It was discussed at the convention to implement a system of new students and their parents signing an agreement ensuring that the student will not engage in any ragging activity.

At the convention, the Prohibition of Ragging and other forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act No. 20 of 1998 was the main topic of discussion.

Attorney General, Mohan Peiris, also present at the convention said that those who become violent raggers are those who were subjected to severe ragging in their freshmen years.

Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mahinda Balasuriya and Mr.Peiris both proposed the idea of the educational institutions and their administration getting more involved in the student ragging issue.





Pics. by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 18

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Monday, 03 May 2010 10:23 AM

    RAGGING IN ANY FORM SHOULD BE TOTALLY BANNED, and those caught should be dismissed and imprisoned for at leat 6 months.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 04:33 AM

    When I went to enrol at University of Western Sydney, long time ago (in 1990s), we had to wait about an hour. The Student Union distributed bags to us, containing a fruit drink, packet of chips, a student diary and ball point pen! A former Senior Immigration Officer, Jinasena was with me: he had come on a holiday to visit his son. He was shocked at the way the Students treated us. Can we have this culture in Sri Lanka too! Chandra NSW

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 03:44 AM

    Yes, it should be banned!!!
    But what will happen to groups of student’s who are hiding behind the name of “anit-ragging” and executing their own agendas in universities. Will this empower them?

    They talk as if this is the greatest problem in the Universities while there are lot of other Student problems that are still to be solved. Solve them and this will get solved automatically like it has happen in some universities already.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 03:18 AM

    Sri Lankan Universities has not produced role models of teachers and university administrators who can advise and guide campus youth. Ragging is used to fill that vacum and the space by the senior students. Law it self may not bring desired outcome. Learning environment of Sri Lankan campuses need serious review.

    Monday, 03 May 2010 09:56 PM

    Ragging comes from deep-seated insecurity, sexual repression and economic frustation. The tormentors deserve to be given a taste of their own medicine!

    Monday, 03 May 2010 09:20 PM

    It is well known that the JVP is behind this evil and insane act of ragging ...

    Monday, 03 May 2010 04:16 PM

    Good move. In certain faculties ragging gets worse with bad intentions, whereas in medical faculties it is done to get to know the juniors well. Once the ragging period (which sometimes even the juniors enjoy) is over, the seniors do really help the juniors and even financially.

    Monday, 03 May 2010 12:45 PM

    Ragging is now out of date in most of the presitigiuos univercities in the world. The simple reason.... you have to pay for your degree even through a govt grant which has to be repaid once the graduate secure employment. So no time to play the fool. Also in any developed country it is illegal to submit anybody to any public degradation. What a idiotic thing to get the parent to sign documents. They should pass a law for sacking of any student induldging in this despicable act.

    Monday, 03 May 2010 12:20 PM

    RAGGING IN ANY FORM SHOULD BE BANNED.,

    Monday, 03 May 2010 08:14 AM

    Should Ban

    Monday, 03 May 2010 10:04 AM

    They abuse sexually too. The ordinary laws are enough if the law of witness is amended and the freshers know each other in advance and if there is a special number to inform a special police desk round the clock; it is like the traffic rules, the raggers know the cop in the beat takes off after 7 pm.

    Monday, 03 May 2010 09:59 AM

    Ragging is the ugliest part in local higher education, driven by the jealous and cruelty. I feel govt is not so interested in strongly intervening on this matter as it is obscured from masses. However unless this stupid concept of ragging is immediately stopped, there will never be a worth of a single rupee of the investments on education.

    Monday, 03 May 2010 09:47 AM

    WAS IS IT LEAGAL BEFORE?.STUDENTS ATTEND UNIVERSITY FOR EDUCATION,NOT TO BE THUGS.PUNISH ALL WHO DO NOT STUDDY DURING THEIR UNIVERSITY TIME AND CHARGE 3 TIMES OF THE MONEY GOVERNMENT SPENT FOR THEIR EDUCATION IF THEY BRAKE LAWS OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION.

    Monday, 03 May 2010 09:44 AM

    Any caught engaging in any ragging activity should be expelled from the universities.

    Monday, 03 May 2010 09:42 AM

    Good move !

    Monday, 03 May 2010 09:18 AM

    Ragging is similar to bullying. Jealousy is another reason for ragging. A person might get ragged more, if that person comes from a rich family and an elite school. This is a place where a person can be humiliated (or cut down to size). Is it tall poppy syndrome ?. Western countries do not have ragging any more.

    Monday, 03 May 2010 09:16 AM

    Why is Govt so soft in this matter. Those students don't adhere to rules and regulations must be sent out of the Universities and should not be allowed again to enter such an Institute. Germany is a very good example. Instead of ragging the students welcome the freshers and help during the first week to come to know the University and sorroundings.

    Monday, 03 May 2010 08:43 AM

    stop immediately


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H