Spine-chilling ragging continue to plague university system

7 December 2023 06:35 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 55 Bookmark

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Colombo, Dec.6 (Daily Mirror) - With another inhuman case of ragging reported from Sri Jayewardenepura University, Higher Education Minister Suren Raghavan said many cases of harassment of juniors by their seniors within the universities go unreported but the government will leave no stone unturned in its attempt to eradicate the menace.

Making his remarks in Parliament the other day, the Minister said the heads and facial hair of 15 students of Sri Jayewardenepura had been shaved with the same razor despite the health risk involved. He even likened it to a criminal act similar to murder since any infection caused by such common use of a razor can be fatal.

Despite attempts by successive governments and multiple pieces of legislation and regulations prohibiting ragging, the dehumanizing ordeals continue to ravage the university system, but freshers, in most cases, endure such sufferings without making any complaint fearing repercussions from their seniors during the remainder of their academic lives.

Asked for a comment on his latest revelation, Minister Raghavan said the government had initiated fresh approaches to invoke the available laws and regulations to curb the menace. He said the Vice Chancellors of all 17 universities would present their cases before the Supreme Court soon regarding the crisis.

“The universities are independent bodies. Their respective senates can decide on action,” he said.

The Minister said such inhuman acts borders on the infringement of fundamental rights of individuals, and therefore it was an offence punishable in terms of both local and international laws.

The higher education authorities have introduced a hotline to receive complaints.

Sri Lanka’s higher education sector is replete with spine-chilling stories about ragging, even resulting in deaths at times. In the guise of ragging, seniors even bar newcomers from wearing what they like. They are also faced with restrictions in wearing clothes of their choice. The politically motivated students’ organizations such as the Inter-University Students’ Federation even use ragging as a tool to brainwash students with their ideology.

Comments - 55

Amaran Thursday, 07 December 2023 07:09 AM

Ragging is carried out by JVP. Just image if JVP comes to power. It is better to elect RANIL.

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Hasni Thursday, 07 December 2023 01:26 PM

Are u Stupid,Talk with Sense This is happening while Your our so called Ranil in Power, SO BE LOGICAL.

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Upali Thursday, 07 December 2023 03:38 PM

Hasini's comment above speaks volumes. The crimes of everyone and everything is laid squarely on the shoulders of the one person they are made to detest. If we don't remove biases and seek to identify root causes of effects we will never solve the problems in this land.

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Baila Friday, 08 December 2023 07:10 AM

Amaran prove its the JVP student union

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Ranil Friday, 08 December 2023 08:02 AM

@Amaran This is not ragging comment but the most suitable name for you is ‘A MORON’.

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Sam Saturday, 09 December 2023 06:58 AM

Well said.. When extream leftists come to power, ragging will be part of the curriculum even if it's not already, because everything inside universities are already under the extremists control anyway.

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HADIRAN Sunday, 10 December 2023 10:47 AM

Good initiative for the discussion of brutal ragging in Sri Lanka exactly with the blame for unruly students unions . If jvp wants to avoid blame why not they interfere to stop ragging ?

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Lali Sunday, 10 December 2023 02:05 PM

Ragging test the resilient attitude of the newcomer how much he or she can with stand in the corporate scenario... It was established in uk university to harden student but got disbanded as sometimes it bordered on sadism which sadly should be outlawed.... Whether jvp Union is the culprits only investigation will show but all the same all political parties including jvp need to be warned

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Cherath Thursday, 07 December 2023 07:13 AM

You must get the cooperation of the Students' bodies to formulate decisive action. The vice chancellors and government should do what all universities in developed countries do to maintain discipline - have clearly worded contract of engagement as students enter universities. Lay down disciplinary requirements, violations of which would carry specified action, including dismissal for very serious offenses. Nothing less is worth the paper as some victim students have committed suicide or given up their further education due to extreme ragging, which is more than tragic.

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Concerned Thursday, 07 December 2023 07:30 AM

Ms. Harini Amarasuriya, I am making a direct appeal to you. You have thus far made a considerable contribution to the JVP movement with your presence. It’s a well known fact that SL University Student movements are controlled by the JVP. You are a Uni lecturer. If you can spearhead a movement to eradicate this cancer that has plagued our Universities for decades you will be making a immeasurable contribution to the country as well as to the JVP.

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UniDon Thursday, 07 December 2023 08:01 AM

Yes, of course, raging must be eliminated. But Hon. Deputy Minister, a known agent of so-called private universities, is using 'raging' to cover up other burning issues in public universities, leaving them for natural death. It is clear that the future of higher education that Ranil and the clan are dreaming of is nothing else but a dream of the merchants of education. But what they are unaware of is that the so-called private universities, like private hospitals, heavily depend on the academic labor of public universities; that is how they—being parasites—sustain their profits.

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Shiran Friday, 08 December 2023 09:09 AM

Think unbiasedly. How many of our state funded graduates are worth the investment made in them by the citizens (i.e. the tax payer). Just observe them working out their jobs in actual life and one can make an assessment. So many government institutions a flooded with these undergraduates who are lazy, aimless, whinging and think that the state owes them all and that everythihg is their right, and they no it all. It is a reality check of our public tertiary education. That said are are some really fantastic products that we can all feel very proud of who are committed to serve and appreciate the free edication given. Hat's off to them and they are saluted. The question is how many of those who pay for their tertiary education will behave like the majority of the tax payer undergraduates? Therein lies the answer, merit and justification of not strangling the opportunity of youth receiving education via private universities if they so wish.

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Aiyyo Thursday, 07 December 2023 08:15 AM

Get rid of the raggers. They are not worth for the society. The potential professionals who can contribute towards the upliftment of the country will fear to join the unis. So please punish them severely. No point of rehabilitating them. Worthless lumps of flesh

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Indika Thursday, 07 December 2023 08:35 AM

Aren't the manipulators affiliated to left leaning political parties that are seeking to solve the nation's ills? Isn't this all a part of their strategy and tactics to use them as pawns for their political agendas like demonstrations and sabotage? Wonder what AKD and his gang have to say about it, after all wasn't it clearly evident that that his team worked hand in glove with the IUSF during the protests and unrest last year? Remember how AKD visited Galle Face and received escort by those goons while SP was chased out?

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Upali Wickramasinghe Friday, 08 December 2023 08:47 AM

Indika, You are wrong. Even the members of the right wing parties participate in this. I have been to the University in Sri Lanka 60 years ago. ragging is a manifestation of uncouth upbringing. It should be emphasised that only children of uneducated partly educated , sons of prostitutes ( in public or in private ) rag others.The Lecturers too are to be blamed. lectures are dictation classes.There is no discussionn of any subject with the students. The students should read the contents of the lecture before the lecture and they should be able to question the lecturer on the thorny aspects. Best it to re-introduce study online.

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joshua Thursday, 07 December 2023 08:39 AM

Talk Talk but no action. Why don't the Government implement strict rules where anybody caught ragging will be sent home for ever from the University? Even if the tudents protest or do anything these fellows should not be allowed back.

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melville perera Thursday, 07 December 2023 08:58 AM

the U authorities should initially have on record the student candidate',s school character certificate and allied achievements, parental background and occupation. home town and environment conditions as these have a bearing on the root causes akin to a medical doctor prescribing medication for an ailment. Education dept' s U entry certificate is. only a piece of paper whatever the qualifying marks. Do we not have fake addresses, certificates and other corrupt activities for school admissions?

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Kavindra Ratnayake Thursday, 07 December 2023 08:59 AM

Those who commit such barbaric acts have a low self esteem. These psychopaths will ruin the future generations when they enter the society.

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Waco Thursday, 07 December 2023 09:03 AM

Government is weak. Therefore all these problems. It has been proved beyond any doubly that the Government is weak and can not resolve any issue.

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Sokrates Thursday, 07 December 2023 09:11 AM

What kind of deviant and perverse tradition is this? Not even the most primitive jungle tribes do anything like that. The students want to be the elite of the country, but are they really? I don't want to be treated by a sadistic doctor who abused younger students during his studies. Anyone involved in such abuse should be immediately expelled from the university without the chance to study at a state university ever again. I have never experienced anything like this at a German university. Older students there are not interested in younger ones. Normally they don't meet at all because they attend different courses, except in the canteen to eat. Also there isn't a stupid prefect system in Germany like here, where older students have to discipline younger ones in schools. This should also be abolished in Sri Lanka. It's no longer up to date. Only trained teachers can take on such a task.

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Paramanathan Thursday, 07 December 2023 09:14 AM

Ragging in universities, once again, raises serious concerns as it continues to be a heinous criminal offense that warrants strict legal repercussions. This alarming trend of violence against innocent freshers not only violates the rule of law but also undermines the principles of compassion and empathy. The barbaric acts perpetrated during ragging incidents deserve unequivocal condemnation from all members of society, with a particular emphasis on the responsibility of senior students' parents. Despite repeated instances, it is disheartening to witness a lack of compassion from seniors who seem more interested in venting their spleen than welcoming newcomers. This ongoing issue is not a singular occurrence; it persists unabated, highlighting a worrisome trend that the government appears to be struggling to address effectively. The current situation suggests a sense of helplessness on the part of the authorities, underscoring the need for urgent and comprehensive measures to curb this

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sunil Thursday, 07 December 2023 09:24 AM

It is easy to control by sending Police officers as juniors to catch the seniors involved in ragging until seniors' attitudes are improved and punish them if they get caught.

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Nihal Amarasekera Thursday, 07 December 2023 09:32 AM

Ragged becomes the Ragger next time around and the caravan moves on

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Dinesh Thursday, 07 December 2023 09:38 AM

Not to worry. In the near future we will have Texas style shoot of juniors taking revenge on seniors.

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Impose Heavier Penalties Thursday, 07 December 2023 09:45 AM

As mentioned a few months back, set up police post on or nearby all campuses as a deterrent. Impose heavy sentences on those who are challenging to handle

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Janet Liyanage Thursday, 07 December 2023 09:55 AM

Political mentors behind these inhuman senior students are JVP and Peratugamies. These mentors expose themselves to societies as a strong vocal force against the Ranil Rajapaksha evil regime but everybody knows the fact that they are all friends.

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warren Thursday, 07 December 2023 10:01 AM

These are acts of JVP led "Malimawa" to stifle the progress of important sectors of the country. Imagine these people assuming power with this mindset.

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Fact Thursday, 07 December 2023 10:28 AM

This explains why many private business/industrial enterprises do not let local university grads to enter their premises even for training purposes.

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Hard Truth Thursday, 07 December 2023 10:35 AM

These people are the pillars of tomorrow's society. What a pity situation for this country. Before eradicating corruption, need to eliminate this ragging.

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Bandu Thursday, 07 December 2023 10:52 AM

And we want to get foreign students to our universities according to claims by some VCs. May be to internationalise ragging as accepted behaviour.

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Punchi Thursday, 07 December 2023 11:50 AM

Ragging is a unique phenomena only happening in our 2500 year old civilisation and definitely unknown in lesser civilisations. Maybe this is evidence that we have a 2500 year old civilisation but remain barbaric, primitive and uncivilised in our ways

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Rip Winkle Thursday, 07 December 2023 12:00 PM

This problem should have been solved decades ago. 1. Make it a precondition for everyone entering universities to accept expulsion in the event of being caught indulging in ragging. 2. Set up CCTV systems all around university property. 3. Have a whistleblower hotline.

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Acid Thursday, 07 December 2023 12:04 PM

When the graduates are like this, what can we expect from everyone else?

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Abd Thursday, 07 December 2023 12:32 PM

Advice to NPP Public vehemently against this beastly university ragging,if you are openly distance from this unruly guys certainly your popularity would wash way

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Asange Thursday, 07 December 2023 02:05 PM

It is engrained in their DNA. That is how they brainwash young minds. First bring them under fear and subjection through ragging and torture. Once their spirit is broken then they become subservient slaves. That is JVP, NPP, FSP and other Marxist leaning movements have in common. The NPP cannot distance itself from what the IUSF is doing as one is an intrinsic part of the other.

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SLEx Thursday, 07 December 2023 01:13 PM

UniDon - Tell me you are a NPP supporter without telling me. Stupid perspective on private university education. Why don't you actually travel to countries like UAE, Malaysia, Singapore and see the advantages of having private universities. Imagine being able to have Monash/Swinburne/Herriot-Watt degrees while not having to leave the country. They do not require any resources from the Govt sector as they are able to charge students for education and they function as a private entity. Going to a local university for a 3 year course and finishing it after 6 years because of strikes/ragging and political influence is not 'world class' education.

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Dee Thursday, 07 December 2023 01:32 PM

Catch those who are responsible and put them on two used tires. Too bad even used tires are expensive these days!

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Parents Thursday, 07 December 2023 01:33 PM

The "training" for ragging is given in high school!! Get rid of the so-called prefects in schools! They think they are above the principals. They are not given proper training whatsoever. In most schools the principals are afraid of the prefects. These prefects are given the right to punish any junior they like or rather dislike, for anything that "they" decide an offense!! These are the one who continue to rag in universities too. So the training to rag is given in high school.

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Jayantha Thursday, 07 December 2023 02:10 PM

Identify at least 2 to 3 responsible for ragging. Give them death sentence or send them to 20yrs in prison by updating laws via parliment. Then others will also learn from it.

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Dee Friday, 08 December 2023 07:19 AM

Or just put them on two used tires early morning at the center island in front of the kelani university! Because 20 years in prison means, worse than free education. Tax payer pays to feed them for 20 years

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Living one step above the Veddhas Thursday, 07 December 2023 02:20 PM

Make ragging a criminal offence. Those caught will face instant dismissal and they must never be employed by the state in any capacity. Then follow it up (although in a corrupt society I doubt it will happen). When I lived in SL (in the 70's and 80's) this was happening. In 2023 is it still happening? This confirms my thoughts - thinking in Sri Lanka is still primitive.

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Lokka Thursday, 07 December 2023 02:24 PM

Uni Don You are talking bullsht. The only solution is to promote private universities. Those peace loving decent students will join these private universities. This is a fundamental right of the people. Further, there is a way to solve the menace of this inhuman ragging. Violent should be countered with violence. Set up hit squads in universities to nab the culprits and subject them to similar and harsher treatment. Only extra judicial treatment will work with them. Thus create fear psychosis.Believe it or not ragging will stop overnight.

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Suwineetha Thursday, 07 December 2023 02:26 PM

Universities are on the Sri Lankan soil. Students are citizens. So why not the common law apply there. Establish Police and Army posts within the premises to protect students. Wish Premadasa Snr or Ranjan W was here.

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wickrama wijayasiri Thursday, 07 December 2023 06:34 PM

This is mostly stemmed by rage, jealousy, and anger by the 'have nots' who have the good luck to enter the U system. Bad upbringing. One of the solutions is to expel the culprits caught from the U system with no possibility to reenter the system. The JVP connection some readers have mentioned is also true. Some people are born with less than the others. However, the others could not be blamed for their misfortune. The culprits have no respect for others. Expel and file for bodily hurt.

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Sinna Thursday, 07 December 2023 08:31 PM

This is suicidal to NPP/JVP; AKD trotting around the world and lecturing sweet fairy tales on what peaceful,equal society under them, with oozing out of justice,but in home front this is the way,their acolytes behaving , if AKD not react positively, I change my mind

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No class at all Thursday, 07 December 2023 10:37 PM

So, this is the behavior of so called "educated people" in SL. Now we can understand why they have become "ungrateful, selfish bunch of crooks"

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Radan Friday, 08 December 2023 06:19 AM

The only way to prevent ragging is to publish the names of those to the public with their identity numbers and all government and private sector not to employ them. This will immediately stop.

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jayatissa Friday, 08 December 2023 11:14 AM

All the political parties are to be blamed for this stupid union stuff, senior junior crap culture that's being set at government universities, after so many generations of rag, rape still nothing can be done, while other private universities cultures have changed with generation, more online related work, technology driven while our local campuses always typical low class pampori mindset, those who know and have a chance will graduate or fly out of the country change lifestyle be better in life, for those uneducated people and thugs who run the university union they are a failure in life and they know it, that's why they are stuck in a loop in the same old protest mindset culture, goverment has no control at all no legal procedure, no bills passed, they simply dont care because this way is better for them to manipulate the population, the less educated, underdeveloped, less informed the population is, the easier it is to manipulate and husstle goverment funds, prove me wrong

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Umar Perera Friday, 08 December 2023 12:11 PM

When I was at Peradeniya University in 1982, the ragging was conducted in sequential sessions, especially during the first three weeks by all political parties and other groups of senior students with bad intentions. The first group to rag me and my batchmates identified themselves as belonging to the UNP association on campus. At that time, the JVP were the last to rag us and the politest! At the time, it was well known that only students from the Sinhala medium ragged all other students. It is still much the same for the perverse lot that do this. None of this will stop until there is a confidential system of reporting and all who engage in these activities are expelled from campus and charged by the police.

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Andrew Silva Saturday, 09 December 2023 03:55 AM

Filth started 100 years ago still it continues. These are the people who are supposed to lead and look after our country. What a example. There is no forward thinking ability.

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Champika Saturday, 09 December 2023 11:18 AM

It may have started a century ago but it was most surely not widespread severe sadistic ragging as of current levels of intensity.

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Senaka Saturday, 09 December 2023 10:33 AM

Is there a comparison of known ragging between universities? Would be keen to know the extent of ragging in the Jaffna University, as the community genuinely values education free or paid. That we give some insight into societal influence on the topic. Also the marxist socialist political arms have less presence and influence there.

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Human Being Saturday, 09 December 2023 11:59 AM

Ragging is an extreme level of harassment, My goodness no any preventive measure had been taken in this regard all these years? why the government turned a blind eye on this? Imagine the psychic pleasures these thugs are having while torturing the harmless ones? this is a mental disorder, What kind of society are we going have for the upcoming generation

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Bandu Sunday, 10 December 2023 02:27 PM

Kick the thugs from the university. It’s tax payers money they are wasting. Country get very little benefits from current systems. Give loans for tuition, then they will appreciate the education

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lalitanathan Sunday, 17 December 2023 11:01 PM

Ragging has been outlawed in uk... Why is srilanka allow it

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