Prof K L Wasantha to head anti-ragging task force
View(s):The Task Force to Prevent All Forms of Violence, including ragging, in universities that has been set up will be headed by Professor K L Wasantha, Vice Chairman of the University Grants Commission.
It consists of 16 members, including a representative nominated by the Inspector General of Police and a representative nominated by the Attorney General.
Deputy Education Minister Madura Seneviratne said the task force will drive the anti-ragging efforts in State universities in the country, and all issues will be addressed with the seriousness they deserve.
The new anti-ragging/harassment programme will apply to students as well as staff, and any person who falls victim to harassment can seek recourse through the programmes which will prioritise the rights of victims.
The deputy minister said that complaints will be heard expeditiously. “Usually around 1,000 complaints are received in a year but less get inquired into. This will be changed under the new system,” he said.
Harassment/ragging in hostels, too, will be addressed with wardens and marshals held responsible if any such incidents take place within hostel premises.
The UGC will spearhead the anti-ragging/harassment efforts, he added.
The anti-ragging law in place is adequate to deal with offenders as of now but additional laws are under consideration, the deputy minister said.
The other members of the task force are Prof Prabha Manurathna – Director, Centre for Gender Equality and Equity (CGEE), University Grants Commission, Professor Hemamali Gunathilaka – Member, UGC, Professor Wijaya Jayathilake – Former member of CGEE, Dr Sayuri Perera – Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Shanika Malalgoda – National Child Protection Authority, Apsara Kaldera – Additional Secretary, Higher Education Division, Ministry of Education, Gunadasa Samarasekara – Additional Secretary, Vocational Education Division, Ministry of Education, Dr Chinthaka Perera – Director, University College of Batangala, A G A Jalitha Kumara – Director, Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technology – Colombo 15. J P Wijayathilaka Jayasinghe – University of Colombo, University Non-Academic Employees’ Representation, W A A Werahera – University of Peradeniya, representing the University Disciplinary Division, Kavidu Bimsara – Secretary, General Students’ Union, University of Colombo, student of the Faculty of Law, and Sajini Vatsala – Secretary, General Students’ Union, University of Moratuwa. (DWI)
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