Dissident SLPP MP Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (06) warned of catastrophic consequences if the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government was allowed to go ahead with sweeping education reforms.

The former External Affairs Minister alleged that the Wickremesinghe-led government, that was on its way out, seemed hell-bent on doing away with free education enjoyed by Sri Lankans for over eight decades.

Prof. Peiris said so at a special media briefing held at the Opposition Leader’s Office yesterday. Among the participants were Dr. Mahim Mendis (OUSL), Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon (OUSL), Prof. Upul Dissanayake (Peradeniya Uni), Prof. Upul Aberathna (Peradeniya), Prof. Nawarathna Banda (Kelaniya), Dr. Neavis Morais (OUSL), Prof. Anura Uthumange (Japura), Prof. Shantha Gamlath (Japura), Prof. Gamini Rathnasiri (Japura), Prof. Geethani Bulankulams (Rajarata), Prof. Dunesh Gunatillaka (Japura), Dr. Ajih Senevirathna (Nagananda Buddhist university) and Thushara Silva (Lawyer).

Referring to the contentious government proposals, the one-time VC of the Colombo University asserted that the overall aim of the government was to discontinue its involvement in the higher education sector. According to Prof. Peiris, the government intended to abolish the University Grants Commission (UGC), thereby terminating the State’s regulatory mechanism for once and for all.

Pointing out that there were significant differences in the Sinhala and English texts of the proposals, Prof. Peiris said that an attempt was being made to deceive the public with regard to proposed education reforms.

The academic also questioned the government’s bid to attract foreign students by assuring them employment here once they completed academic studies, regardless of the government inability to create suitable opportunities for Sri Lankan students.

Prof. Peiris urged political parties and the public to sink their differences whatever over other issues to safeguard free education enjoyed by the people, regardless of their social standing (SF)