Professor Rohana Laxman Piyadasa, a lecturer of mass media, reflected on the SAITM issue, unrest in universities, the forming of a new constitution and the act proposed by the government to control media. Here are excerpts of the interview.
- If there are obstacles in the path to their education, it becomes a social issue
- Are there parents in our country who can spend Rs 15 million for their children’s education?
- I hold the view that Universities should be independent
- I notice a downfall in the Trade union culture of Sri Lanka
- There are more than one hundred thousand parents who have lost their children
Q At Present there are crucial issues connected with the Universities. The Universities were closed due to student unrest, SAITM, and the spread of epidemics. Now Katubedda University has been closed suddenly. Why is this?
The country’s youth student population is categorized as a generation of intellectuals that will one day take over the future of a country. If there are obstacles in the path to their education, it becomes a 
social issue. In an undeveloped country like ours, students continuing with their higher education face sicknesses, contact viruses, experience epidemics and other economic constraints. When any one of this happens its a pathetic sight. Elders of a society should intervene and manage such a situation.
Q Some University students boycott lectures while others carry out protests. Aren’t these hints there are other issues bothering University students?
The central issue concerning students is the presence of SAITM. The core issue of SAITM revolves around equality. There are many who qualify for University admission. There’s no way that everyone can enjoy state sponsored higher education. Given this scenario the affluent have options to continue higher studies and obtain degrees. This has led to frustration among the dejected student community.
Every government that came to power kept blaming the media, following a typical political culture. This has been amply proved after the 70s. Every government walks on the back of journalists and once assuming power they keep on attacking them, carry on investigations against them and ill treat them
QIsn’t the SAITM issue you mentioned connected with a problem regarding a private university more than with the frustration of undergraduates?
In a developing country like ours, which is plagued by an anomaly in the distribution of income and problems regarding universities, providing equal education opportunities to the youth can bring a resolve.This solution will help minimise the frustration of students. Since Independence our youth have featured in three mass uprisings. The number of, lives lost, the children who were disabled and the several hundred thousands who left the country is great. They stood up against social injustice 
and inequality and demanded social consideration. These were their demands. But the political scenario present failed to offer solutions to their political, social, cultural, ethnic and religious issues. As a result they got into positions where they would even risk their lives. Therefore it’s necessary to address the present situation keeping in mind the past historical background of everything that has led to this.
Q Then what is the solution?
Policy makers, politicians, political groups, intellectuals, and administrators should join together in finding a solution. Unfortunately this is taking much time. The SAITM issue has dragged on for more than four years, during which time more than 200 students have been banned from attending lectures. There have been protests and demonstrations in Colombo on more than 60 occasions. They resulted in the loss of millions of man hours which were brought about due to the traffic congestion they caused. This type of situation is unbearable to a developing country like ours. It’s not correct to subject the entire student community to suffering due to the work of a few hundred undergraduates.
QThere is a talk that the Peradeniya and Colombo Universities will be made independent.
There have been protests and demonstrations in Colombo on more than 60 occasions. They resulted in the loss of millions of man hours which were brought about due to the traffic congestion they caused. This type of situation is unbearable to a developing country like ours
I feel that this is a move towards having a parallel establishment with the state sector where entrance will be by payment. Are there parents in our country who can spend Rs 15 million for their children’s education? With the prevailing tax structure in the country, how can there be a provision to spend so much? black money has been in circulation in very large amounts. During the recent past, black money has been in circulation in very large amounts due to the presence of the free trade economy. When there is an opportunity to obtain a degree from a University at a cost of Rs 3.5 million, how can anyone afford to pay between Rs 15- 20 Million to obtain a degree? Doesn’t this show an anomaly in income levels?
Q Do you mean to say that a rich person has no right to education?
Are we trying to have a repeat of the ‘1971 insurgency’ by violating the rights of students (Who missed university by a few marks) have to enjoy social opportunities? Animosity, frustration, despair and stress have become major social trends which are creating social issues. We should look at the issue in this manner.
QIn most countries universities are independent. Is it bad for our country to have independent universities?
I hold the view that universities should be independent. People should be able to express independent views, carry out independent research, present conflicting views and form ideologies. For all this to happen, independence is necessary. This independence is present in our establishments already. Are they trying to give a new kind of independence to the two universities you mentioned and refrain from offering that to the other Universities? I personally feel that there is some issue here.
QThe Doctors were getting ready to strike over the removal of Prof Carlo Fonseka. The doctors are holding patients as hostages whenever there is a slight reason for them to strike. Do you justify it.
I notice a downfall in the trade union culture of Sri Lanka. In strikes launched in 1947 and 1950, the most sensitive groups were kept away from joining in these forces who stopped work. They were well organized. The entire Port was at a standstill. Train services were disrupted. Highways were blocked. Distribution of food was severely affected. Offices were completely deserted, but they never disrupted the health services. There were token strikes. I don’t condone striking over the removal of Prof Carlo Fonseka from the SLMC. But I say that their demands are justifiable.
QThe government seems to be in conflict with the Maha Sangha over the forming of a new Constitution.
The government has unnecessarily invited unwanted parties for debates by not acting in a proper manner regarding certain matters. In a religious society like ours, the clergy is a sensitive group. By involving a sensitive group like that severe issues have emerged. A responsible government must move ahead with a clear vision regarding the principles that’ll definite the new constitution. It’s important for the government to have a dialogue with this sensitive group regarding the new constitution. Without acting in a responsible manner and calling everybody for this debate, will lead to anarchy in the country.
QWhat is your opinion on the constitutional changes?
Elections lead to sudden fires and shootings. We witnessed unrest among ethnic groups. Refugees have been created. There is an advent of foreign armies. Libraries have been set on fire. There are more than 50,000 mothers who are widows in the North. There are more than one hundred thousand parents who have lost their children. A large number of war heroes are being looked after by us. These are the by-products of our constitution. Therefore it’s necessary to change it. Decisions taken to restore power must be implemented. A constitution that will remove suspicion and doubt and one that embraces all should be enacted.
QThere is much argument about the Missing Persons act. The opposition is vehemently opposing it. Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera says that it will be effective only in future situations and those who oppose it belong to a group that supports the white van culture, killings and abductions.
Have The USA and UK, who are advising us on Human rights, or the EU passed this type of act?
QJust because they haven’t adopted this act, can we follow such one?
Is it our requirement? Did such a problem surface from among our people? The present laws provide ample opportunities to find a solution when dealing with a death that’s associated with doubt. Under such circumstances we can always find some provisions. During the unrest in 88/89 more than 60,000 deaths took place in the South. There was a great demand to investigate in to these deaths. Have they done any justice to these demands? Have they even held any police investigation? I wish that this country has its own agenda when dealing with such matters.
QThe Government is preparing a Media authority act. Do you think such an enactment is necessary?
Those in the Media believe that this is an attempt by the government to control the media.
We as lecturers of Mass Media, presented a set of proposals to President Maithripala Sirisena and Government Information Department on World Mass Media day last year. These proposals specify how the mass media in our country should be reformed. But up to now they have not spoken to us or the other lecturers of mass media regarding these proposals. For whose benefit are they bringing proposal for Mass Media without obtaining the views of the teachers of mass media?
In a developing country like ours, which is plagued by an anomaly in the distribution of income and problems regarding universities, providing equal education opportunities to the youth can bring a resolve
QThen what are they aiming at by bringing in this new bill?
They are trying to pass an act to regulate information. We feel that this shouldn’t be done. This is anti democratic. Right now, rules and regulations should be established to resolve the issues connected with ownership of media, salaries of journalists, security of their profession, guidelines on media ethics, training of journalists and several other matters. This proposed bill doesn’t cover any of these. Therefore it’s necessary that the provisions of this bill be studied in detail and steps are taken to rectify these shortcomings. Every government that came to power kept blaming the media, following a typical political culture. This has been amply proved after the 70s. Every government walks on the back of journalists and once assuming power they keep on attacking them, carry on investigations against them and ill treat them. It’s a pity that there is no healthy relationship between the cultures practised by the media and politicians. There should be an open debate on this matter.
