He said the President should talk to the university academics and provide a solution to their problems.

The Prelate made these comments during a discussion with representatives of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) when they called on him in Kandy yesterday.

“According to what is happening in the country today, the establishment of private universities will become a reality soon. There is deterioration in almost all sectors of society while prominence is given only to the development of the tourism industry. It is difficult to find any solutions by discussing with those in the government. They cannot deceive university academics like how the people in villages are deceived,” the Mahanayake said.

He asked what the purpose of the leadership training given to university students and said he wondered whether it would be given to the academics as well. Peradeniya University Professor Ven. Hanguranketha Deerananda Thera said crimes and abuse of women and children now prevailing in the country could be minimized through a proper higher education but when the education system of the country was in a mess and muddle, it was society that suffered.

He said the services provided to the country by university accademics were not properly recognised and remunerated. The professor said university teachers would meet all the other Mahanayaka Theras and religious leaders in the country and make them aware of problems faced by university academics.

Professor H.M.R.D. Herath and Senior Lecturer Nawarathna Banda were among those who made their views known during the discussion.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka