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Police baton charge students

4 May 2010 08:02 am - 50     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Police baton charged a group of university students who were protesting in front of the University Grants Commission in Ward Place a short while ago. Our reporter at the scene said that atleast four students sustained injuries during the clash. Students of the Peradeniya, Ruhunu and Jayawardena Universities are protesting seeking several demands. (ISA)








Pics. by Samantha Perera


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  Comments - 50

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  • Tuesday, 04 May 2010 03:26 PM

    In academic fields a 3 year degree is always different from a 4 year degree. Doesn't matter how thorough or high quality the 3 year content is. Even a 2 year research postgraduate program is much much different than a one year Msc... I guess not many people care about what your qualifications are once you're at work but it's different at an academic level. .. That being said I don't think a protest is the way to object. Student's should be students. Stop winging and try to get the best out of what the free education system offers

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 11:23 AM

    You are right Gihan,First year for raggin and political activities and only 3years left......its a good move .

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 11:23 AM

    Was it just a protest? Why did the Police charge them? You should have let them protest as long as it doesn't harm anyone. By attacking Police have created a situation where they can exploit. People are free to protest in this country aren't they? Or is it only the pickets that are supportive of the Government is allowed? a la Wimal Weerawansa protests.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 12:04 PM

    Do you know the Difference between four year Degree and Three year degree; you can do any higher studies, foreign countries like US, so they (student) have to get this

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 12:28 PM

    Students are not always incorrect. First of all please try to find out the students real problems, with out hitting them. .The govt.should supply necessary facilities to complete their degree courses. With out providing the facilities as agreed, how can they complete their courses. The course coordinators, dean of the faculties vice chancellors of the universities and even chairmen of the UGC have done nothing.In this case they are not guilty.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 01:02 PM

    Government brutality

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 01:27 PM

    totally agreed.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 01:31 PM

    sorry to say this, you have absolutely no idea of what university education is. it's not about going to a class and learning something.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 01:38 PM

    Agreed for what?please don't be on the fence being a man

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 01:38 PM

    well, there's a significant difference between 4 year and 3 year degree programs when it comes to postgraduate studies. universities in the US generally do not accept students with 3 year degrees for postgraduate(MS, PhD, etc)

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 02:36 PM

    hey u guyz go easy on teenagerz.... they r the future of sl... lol

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 02:54 PM

    FREE EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN TO ANYONE. WE NEED NO SCUM TO BE DOCTORS AND LAWYERS.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 02:57 PM

    do you want to keep the education within the rich people (like you)?

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 11:05 AM

    So what’s the issue of having a 3 year program? Why do you need 4 years if the quality is acceptable? I bet not a single student who protests has any idea of what is the content of the 3 year program. Finding reasons only to protest.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 03:37 PM

    the student has the right to make demands but the tpo officials in university grand commission must call the student union officials to discuss the problem. this is not a subject for the police.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 04:05 PM

    these degree pro grammes are more than four years world over ,the quality of a degree also judge by course contents and duration..so these students agitation are reasonable and people like gihan are not aware the importance of maintain the quality of medical care as ultimate sufferers will be patients in this country

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 11:05 PM

    no point commenting about an issue most of the commentatators have no clue about including the students themselves.
    these degree are not internationally recognised for professional registration. therefore, students need to look for improvemtns in the curriculum and ways of getting professinal registration after graduation.
    secondly, any person in this country can express their views in a peaceful manner without disturbing the traffic.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 11:18 PM

    As long as it is a peaceful rally, I don't have any problem with it, but who started the violence ?. Is it the Police or the Students ?. Should look at the video replay and the culprits should be punished.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 01:30 AM

    In democratic societies, people have the right to protest in situations of perceived or actual injustice affecting them. Particularly with University students and young people, it is a normal way of behaviour. The important point is the relevant authorities (including the police) should be resourceful enough to manage and resolve these situations without aggravating matters. Protests need not necessarily lead to violence and bloodshed. It is regrettable the police in this instance have failed to act with restraint and understanding.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 01:45 AM

    @ Mohammed and many who comments against students,
    I was a student of local Uni. At that time I was totally away from any such protests. My mindset was to get whatever they give us and go to the industry.

    But yesterday I saw the protest they made. Have any of you consider what they ask for? Our uni students never ask for any luxury. All they ask is some sort of basic facilities and improvement of the quality of their education. Unfortunately our govts do not understand that these are the precious set of people in terms of education. They should be facilitated at best. All they have is just only 3-4 years. Whether they get a good edu or not, they have to pass-out of the uni. They can't fight for their edu, after graduation.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 01:46 AM

    Please don't mix up JVP or any political interference with this. True JVP association is Socialist Students Association, not the inter-university students assoc.
    Most people exploit this sort of situations to talk against students, JVP, free education. But I can proudly say I am proud product of Free education, thus benefiting myself and giving returns to the country at its best.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 03:04 AM

    Many commentators are making this an opportunity to justify calls for scrapping the free education. Where is the rationale for this thinking? Do they consider that educated people and those pursuing higher education should deny themselves of the right to engage in protests against injustices as circumstances demand? Should education produce subservient people who are not conscious of their basic rights? Indeed, these calls are most irrational and stupid, to say the least..

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 04:27 AM

    Rather than giving free education, it would be better to give loans/scholarships to students who are really doing their studies well.
    When students know one day they will have to repay, they will not waste their time on all these stupid protests, ragging, etc, etc.
    And, when the students pay, the teachers will be compelled to do their duties properly. Nowadays, there are many teachers/professors in Sri Lanka who think that our students can not have any expectation as they are getting education for free. They forget/ignore what they are paid for and from where they get funding for their salaries.
    While every one should be given opportunities, there should be ways to monitor that no one misuse'S public money.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 04:50 AM

    if the government has decided to cut the period from four to three years, students have to accept it.

    there should be a reason to change the period, and students should not think they rule the education system, it is government which rule the education system and the country.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:40 AM

    Allied Health degrees in all other countries offer four years. but in srilanka they try to reduce it to three. this is not becouse it necesary it is to satisfy the selfish GMOA. they need to destroy these degrees. Do we let them control our free education for selfish union of doctors. This has not any pollitical adgenda. this is only for future of Allied Health degree.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:51 AM

    Srti Lankan undergradustes have become a burden on the nation due to lack of political will to rectify this situation.The solution is to create Open universities with lectures and instructions through modern media , radio, tv, and internet with regional centres for practical work. This would allow the undergraduates to work from home (no extra expenses) and even give them the oppertunity to demonstrate in front of their own houses and perhaps demand what they want from their unfortunate parents.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 08:18 AM

    I'm also a student of the university of peradeniya, and I must say that the hind-sighted and politically motivated actions of few, tarnish the image of our university in the public eye; in an irrevocable way..

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 08:25 AM

    students should behave like students, their job is to study and do a service to the country, because it is free education , they should not waste their time protesting on minor issues. they should learn to get on in life , nothing is perfect in life.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 08:33 AM

    It is time we did away with 100% free ducation. These leaders are there because academically they are failures.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 08:48 AM

    Well said young man!

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 08:58 AM

    Results of free education??

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:00 AM

    very good action! its not easy to get into universities in SL. after all the hard work parents expect so much & this is what they do? universities should be free of politics & ragging. anyone guilty should be expelled with jail term. this has been going on for long & students of affuent schools usually bear the brunt! lets stop this menace now!!

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:10 AM

    Agreed!

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:21 AM

    Students should not be allowed to demonstrate or go on strike for petty things. This has become a joke in Sri Lanka. It is all because of the free education as they do not see the value of it and would waste their time and others. In many developed countries including China, students have to pay for their university education. So, students know why they are in the university (for studies) and they would do their best and graduate on time. It is high time Sri Lanka did the same, without bending to petty politics and making it free.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:27 AM

    Well done police.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:37 AM

    Free Education and when they pass out and practice as Doctors,Lawyers Etc. They charge the poor huge amounts then no protest.They do not think of their own parents who have sacrifised their life to help them.

    Sarath Dassanaike

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:42 AM

    time to abolish free higher education in Sri Lanka

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:45 AM

    It looks like most of the comments are without knowing the facts of what the protest was for.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 08:15 AM

    There must be a new clause in the emergency regulations after the emendments that we dont know about which allows police to baton charge protestors.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:57 AM

    LOOKS LIKE THINGS ARE BACK TO NORMAL AFTER ELECTIONS !

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 10:01 AM

    BATTON CHARGE IS NOT ENOUGH FOR THESE STUPID SO CALL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.THESE CRIME MINDED MISERABLE THUGS ARE DESTROYING GOVERNMENT MONEY,PARENTS EFFORTS AND HARD EARNED CASH.UNIVERSITY STUDENTS MUST BE IN UNIVERSITY TO STUDY.ALL COUNTRYMEN ARE SUFFERING FOR SO MUCH OF SHORTCOMINGS.THESE IDIOTS WANT TO BE IN SUPER LUXURY LIFE IN UNIVERSITY.GREAT,GIVE MORE BATTON CHARGES FOR THESE THANKLESS DESTRUCTIONISTS.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 10:02 AM

    University administration (VC & Registra) should be held responsible for these kinds of activities. They can't solve any problem within the university. They are eating public funds and finally misleading the students to go and protest against the UGC and governmnet and get the demand. Then we can eat these demands (through funds). Govenment has to take serious actions against them.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 10:04 AM

    Those who frown upon free education are those who have benefited from free education.University students are a part of our society.They have the right to protest against injustice and win over their rights
    Herath

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 10:12 AM

    whatever the reason most of these university students are mislead and they are forced to attend these types of protests. But the public think that all the sudents are like this and they consider them as a burden but unfortunately a certain group (part of red polical party) which is having a good arm inside universities push students to this type of environment

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 10:14 AM

    I personally know what MP like Handunnetti did at University of Sri Jayawardenapura.(1993-97). they compelled poor village students to JVP political stream taking the rag season as a base... now MPs are having full comfortable life while poor students at that time suffered a lot.. even now .. after failing exams.. they did their exams well too. The same scenario is still going on and on..

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 10:37 AM

    well done police

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 10:39 AM

    Yes, 100% agreed, mix with lack of knowledge and mere jealousy with those who entered into universities.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 10:41 AM

    well said Prasad. 100% true

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 10:46 AM

    This is for those who put comments against students. The protest is against the move by the governmet to cut one degree program from four year period to three year. So it is unfair. Please don't let free education collapse. Just imagine if all poor had to pay for higher education.

    Tuesday, 04 May 2010 10:48 AM

    Dear Prasad, It is the matter of your own management.One should be able to manage everything.


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