By Kelum Bandara   

Education Minister Prof.G.L. Peiris said yesterday ragging should be totally banned from the University system to create an atmosphere for newcomers to engage in academic activities peacefully.   

Addressing a function to mark the donation of financial assistance to undergraduate Pasindu Hirushan Silva who was critically injured due to ragging at the Sri Jayewardenepura University, the Minister said a certain percentage of university lecturers tried to interpret a certain amount of ragging as a positive thing.   

“They see it as an opportunity for newcomers to acquaint themselves with their seniors. As long as such views prevail among a section of university lectureres, it is difficult to curb ragging. We advocate zero tolerance. There is no compromise on it. We should totally wipe out such practices,” he said.   

He said there were incidents in which undergraduates had died due to ragging in the past.   

• They see it as an opportunity for newcomers to acquaint themselves with their seniors. As long as such views prevail among a section of university lectureres, it is difficult to curb ragging