At the opening of one of the world’s most beautiful Campuses -- the Peradeniya University, the Duke of Edinburgh spoke these memorable words, “We will be open more than usual”.
Looking back at Peradeniya and reflecting on University Education in our country today one wonders whether those words are true. Recently when the University Lecturers’ Union wanted to hold a news conference in the Colombo University premises it was not allowed to do so. This is in keeping with the Sri Lanka today governed by the 18th Amendment which replaced the 17th Amendment. In this context one should also remember that the discussion planned, in the run-up to the passage of the 18th Amendment in parliament, was abandoned.
Perhaps we are paying the price for not learning from our past mistakes. During the past few decades because of this type of arrogant behaviour by the elders of our society those issues had gone underground. It was because of issues such as the educated youth in the North and South not knowing English and therefore unemployable that the country had to face the violence that erupted in the South and North. However the elders of our society appear to have forgotten this despite the Lakshman Jayatilleke Commission which attempted to touch base and go to the roots of the problems of the youth.
Today, we are told from high places and their disciples following the example set by George W. Bush after 9/11 that terrorism must be wiped out, we in Sri Lanka have a home grown remedy and therefore we are prepared to teach the world as to how terrorism has to be eradicated.
Along with India we in Asia are an ancient people. We have a rich heritage, culture and civilization. Our education was based on our homes and primarily centered on places of worship. In India therefore we have the great tradition of Rabindranath Tagore, well known for his Gitanjali and the Noble Prize for Literature and the Shantiniketan. So let those who work under the 18th Amendment remember that stopping a meeting of University Students or lecturers is not education. Like the people of Japan rising from the ashes of the recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear radiation the Sri Lankan mind cannot be stopped from participating in dissent and therefore in opposition. However like senior journalists or civic rights activists we may be shot dead during the heat of the day. However killing is the work of cowards and not the people who value and learn from dissent and opposition. Therefore it is the task of the media to stand up to the Vice Chancellors and their fellow travellers.
It is good to remember a slain editors farewell editorial in which he quoted a South American thinker, about not being there to protect those who need our help, then we too won’t have anybody not even the 18th Amendment to protect us when the assassin comes looking for us.
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