24 September 2010 10:05 am
“Several rounds of discussions had been held in this regard with private universities in the US, India and Belarus and the proposed university would be established soon in collaboration with an institution that would meet the needs of the social, economic and cultural background of Sabaragamuwa province. The university would provide courses in medical, engineering and information technology disciplines,” the Chief Minister was quoted in a statement from the Provincial Council.
The Chief Minister made the revelation at a conference he had with Sarvodaya Association Secretary Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne and some senior officials of the association.
Provincial Chief Secretary P. Kodithuwakku and several senior officials of the Provincial council were also present on the occasion.
The objective of this move, the Chief Minister said was to meet the higher education requirements of the Sabaragamuwa children who have been denied admission to the national university system and foreign universities due to rigorous competition and economic problems.
The vast majority of the population in Sabaragamuwa consists of owners of small plots of land and those who are unable to claim ownership to any land.
The Chief Minister said that opening of such a university was not purely an economic process but a realistic programme that would open equal avenues for higher education to everyone and help avert a possible social calamity in the future.