SRI J’PURA VC TALKING ABOUT VERGINITY TESTS

“It is time that University Students were subjected to “Virginity Tests”?
“Has Namal taken a Supervisory Post for the Post Graduate Degree by force”?
“Who broke the statue erected in remembrance of memory of heroic students who sacrificed their lives while they were students of Sri Jayewardenapura University”?

The Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenepura University Professor, N.L.A Karunaratna had spoken rubbish and gossip at a discussion he has had on Sunday with the Island group of newspapers particularly in regard to the above. A number of other matters too were subjected to criticism in regard to administration too were discussed. He had tried to find methods to find the virginity of female students.
During the discussion when the Namal Rajapaksa’s Post graduate degree was taken up there was a huge uproar and it may have caused damages to the statue erected in memory of students who sacrificed their lives. When questioned he had said it is all rubbish, my duties are not those.
Question: There is an allegation that you had gone in the night with a torch searching students...........

Answer: “I have never used a torch. I am not guilty of such allegations..........you should realise now even that this is what happens when you try to instil discipline............If elaborated it must be told that the underworlds are those who conduct these activities inside the University There is a very small percentage of .5% who could be compared to having a little ‘cow dung’ within a pot of milk. There are over 12000 students in the University.Those who cannot be removed is less than about 250 students .The majority like to stay with female students.”
 “They never seek permission from us. They strike only on week days which in order to convey the message to the Government about their protests. There conflicts do not affect the Government. The loss is totally to them. If the University is closed for a day, the loss in Rs 1 m a day. They say they do not need facilities. If facilities are given they say they have nothing to speak. Even Carl Marks model is not recognised in other countries.

Question: There is an allegation against you about trying to find the virginity of female students. From a Senior and experienced University Professor one cannot expect such an exercise. The conflict had begun there.

Answer: That is what. I told about the ages of the Universities Vice Chancellors. They were not present. These allegations cannot be accepted. Those “virginity” tests are all wrong..........In comparison to Lord Buddha and his teachings these students are knowledgeable. In the University staff there is one or two who are “Devadaththayas”, which is not a wonder.

Question: When a number of students were in a cluster talking, without any reason you had produced them to courts. Your allegation could not be proved.”It was said that these students as males may indulge in doing wrong doings. The Magistrate had warned you. Is this allegation wrong?”
Answer: This story was seen in a web site..........Will anyone think that a Judge who is not in his senses will talk like this. This it is enough for me to file a case for defamation. I could get a huge sum as damages as this is not a matter to be spoken in courts. If I proceeded to file a defamatory case the Judge may have had to face the consequences. In a child’s education discipline is vital. But the male students have ways and means of handling female students. They do not want to leave them. I cannot disclose what really goes on. I do not know and aware of any ‘Virginity ‘tests.

Question: Wasn’t this happening in accordance to Rajapaksa regime and ruling.
Answer: Keep in mind that any person could make any allegation. I am not a Rajapaksa follower. Any institution has to obey the instruction given by the Government. I cannot deviate from their orders and their principles. Now it is ‘student’s Chintanaya’. Instructions relevant and orders of the Ministry of Higher Education I will implement.

Question: We expect something more from the Rajapaksa ruling. Namal Rajapaksa comes to the University for a degree in MA. His subject is criminal science. He forces to be his own supervisor. But he has only a degree in geography. That is one allegation. That is why we say you are a Rajapaksa follower.
Answer: Take this answer to your careful attention. Giving instructions for higher exams , it is very difficult. They need to have extensive exposure. I was in England for 7 years, in Canada for 2 ½ years as a visiting Professor, I did my PhD in England. The son of head of state comes here with a brief education in England.
A Professor who had been away from this country could only speak and write in Sinhala. If Namal is made a Supervisor what would happen? This is the situation in this University, the standards of the Professors and what is happening in the University.

Question: Our discussion was called to discuss with regard to the damages caused to the “Viru Sisu Statue”. It is learnt that the ‘Rakna Lanka” security service had bombed the statue with your knowledge according to your statement. However you now say it was done by saboteurs. According to you what is the correct version?
Answer: The statue was bombed on last Thursday early morning. After the Christmas vacation several incidents were reported. It was told to the new entrants........what is this exercise........what is the meaning of this lecture....what is the heart of the university.....
 When they are asking this question they say it is an empty librarary. But the students say it is “Viru Sisu’ statue. You’ll will have to worship it. This statue resembles our victory. if this is lost we are finished.  If anyone touches it he will have to commit suicide. We did not know of it it’s bombing. When the new entrants were forcibly taken to the scene we too followed. I advised them to disperse. Then one student shouted “who is he’? We will not follow his advice. Then we had to take disciplinary action. Above that we do not know anything about the bomb.

Question: As you could not solve this amicably students protest procession went up to Temple Trees.
Answer: Not my failure. After the bomb explosion they took the matter further. Will a person who wanted to bomb the statue would do it only to harm a leg. I was the person who re- erected the leg which was kept aside. This matter has various views and I give due respect them and the law.

Question: But you have ordered to burn all pictures that were pasted in the canteen and that you will destroy the statue completely?
Answer: Before the questions were completed the answers were given. While fabricating the virginity, this too was a similar story. There are places in Homagama,Padukka and Kadawatha where the new entrants are trained have been identified. But I love the students. My fervent wish is to bring out their best and skills exposed to help in their efforts.

Question: to fix posters has permission to be taken?
Answer: Yes , that is a University law. To fix posters and hold meeting permission has to be sought.

Question: For a cultural event
Answer: Yes , for it also

Question: Have you got threats to your life
Answer: I have, I have, but I am not scared to die.

Discussion: Manoj Abeydeera/Udesha  Sanjeewa Gamage
Photographs: Udeni Chandrasiri