Minister SB : Error? or Mistake

"Let everyone accept the fact, that our values have deteriorated. Let the misery and poverty of this land, be an example and a fitting opportunity to enable the people to realise that virtuousness humanity and wisdom are much greater than wealth. and affluence."
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by Ven. Galaboda Siri Gnanissara Nayaka Maha Thero

(July 18, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Newspapers published the news about a protest staged by students, when Minister S. B. Dissanayake went to declare open a building at the Peradeniya University on July 12th.

No one remembers now, what happened when JR went to open a Private Medical College, during his tenure of office as President.

Professor Stanley Wijesundera, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, was assassinated inside his own office.

We who eye-witnessed all this, can recollect the reasons that led to them. The fact that his elder son was also a student of that newly inaugurated Medical College, we feel, was a reason for his assassination.

This is a very good instance to prove that all parents should be very much mindful, to act in the interests of the generation of their sons and daughters those who are wise should understand the reasons and causes. Parents who have children, should bear in mind that time has now dawned for all, to protect their sons and daughters, without pursuing luxuries.

S. B. Dissanayake should have started not with garlands but by enquiring into the facilities provided for the students. Of these facilities, lecture rooms, bath-rooms, toilets, water supply, health and sanitation, hostels, private boarding houses, dining rooms and kitchens assume priority status.

Next comes the field of education. It must be said, that universities today have been overwhelmed by a greed for money. Those, tuition classes on holidays as Saturdays, Sundays and Poya Days for external degrees and diplomas, have become rivers flowing with money.

It is a matter for happiness, that teachers derive special economic benefits through this system. It will be equally good, if at least part of that income is utilized for the well-being of students.

Does that kind of thing happen? Or doesn’t that kind of thing happen? We do not know that. May the rulers look into that.

From conversations, we learn that, many university students today, are engaged in night jobs. We do not know whether it is legal or not, Whatever that may be, the way of life, the economic conditions, domestic problems are factors that impact upon university students. Besides, we see that, those organizations and programmes that lead young lives astray, are not being obstructed or controlled by anyone.

Under these conditions, if the educated generations of the future get reduced to the level of stray animals, may those who matter, learn lessons from the events of the past, about the harm that will happen to the country and the nation.

No one remembers those now. But what we can see is that everybody is living in fairylands.

We state, that those in the administrative field have not even thought whether it is necessary to look into the health conditions of the students and their private lives.

Someone must respond to the question, as to who is responsible, for nurturing the students under a good system of administration, for their education and for the management of those who study for three or four years as resident undergraduates.

Of what use will it be if those who enter into administrative fields as sick-people and as persons without any knowledge?

Don’t these weak persons enter the future as parents? They do. If that were so, what will be the fate of their children. Already, this fate has overtaken about seventy five per cent.

The country remains even at this present level, because of the remaining twenty-five per cent.

Time has come, when the exact reality of this country should be fully appreciated by His Excellency the President, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, Deputy Ministers, MP’s and by all other below those ranks.

It is no longer essential to talk about terrorists and war. These topics are not necessary to be spoken about. Those who are in power, the people of this land and others should get together hand-in-hand to prevent terrorism and wars occurring in the future.

Those in power should lead exemplary lives and win the respect of the masses.

Humility, simple life, contentment with whatever one has are fundamental values of all religions.

Everyone makes mistakes. We must learn from our mistakes.

We must not hurt others feelings. Parents must accept their faults and correct themselves.

There is no specific responsibility assigned to the clergy. Only a handful of people appreciate even this service that is rendered by the clergy.

University students are the life-breath of the future. They are the persons who will guide the country in both worldly and spiritual matters, become the entrepreneurs and help guide our future generations.

The country will have no future unless they are cultured in real values.

Those who ponder on these issues are few and far between. Those who enjoy high office vehicles, official residences, varieties of comforts forget the past.Comforts, are there, not merely to indulge in them, but as a means to render a noble service to the land.

The top priority for all in this land is discipline. Next, law and order. Then comes good governance.

Generally speaking education and the development of the country, need versatile people. After the demise of Minister Lalith Athulathmudali, we urged the President to take over the Ministry of Education held by late Mr. Athulathmudali to perform a great service. It turned out that way. We must say, that something really happened at that time. In terms of that experiment, a significant group of people requested the President to take over that Ministry. But, the President said, that he was appointing two efficient people.

Everybody agrees, that Minister S. B. Dissanayake is a very efficient person. He can get things done. He is educated. The life-breath of this country - The University - was given over to him.

He acquired his University education here. I am not certain in what country his children are studying.

But, he received his appointment while the problems were still sizzling. He had to face the issues, while he was just getting ready to do whatever he could.

What he and the deputy minister had to face at Peradeniya, which is very much like the heart of our university system, is quite pathetic.

Newspapers said, that he had ordered the authorities to conduct a disciplinary Investigation into this matter.

There is no authority higher then the Minister in this field. I request you Minister, with affection, to focus attention once more on what I said in this article at the start, to enable you to reduce the tension of this issue, yourself.

The Minister, who was incarcerated and had to eat prison meals (It may perhaps be he did not eat them) may have acquired an experience about profit and loss, praise and blame etc.

This problem has gone deep, not just yesterday and today, but in the distant past.

There is nothing you can make a mistake about. The problem can be solved by staging a walk.

Only compassion and loving-kindness are essential. There are those who lead the students astray. But the Minister and the rulers must be capable of saving the students from that fate.

It is of no use, to evade the issue, by blaming on political parties. The root-cause should be treated to bring about a cure. The wound can be healed. It must be healed. Thailand, China and Malaysia are countries, that have corrected their administration by winning over the University students.

During the days of President JR there came a time, when no one could defuse the problem about nurses. He handed it over to Minister Thondaman (Senior). He solved it methodically, but, through temporary palliatives.

But, those who resort to temporary measures, must proceed on some specific future plans, accepting that there is nothing permanent in the world.

It is futile to regret the past, or to lament about what happened or to curse the past.

May the Minister succeed in continuing unperturbed, considering the stones and brickbats, as an offering of flowers and try to make his glorious name S. B. Dissanayake shine perpetually in Sri Lanka.

Let everyone accept the fact, that our values have deteriorated. Let the misery and poverty of this land, be an example and a fitting opportunity to enable the people to realise that virtuousness humanity and wisdom are much greater than wealth. and affluence.

There is a method, by which something could be done, as university students. But, there is hardly anyone, who would guide university students unions to learn those methods. It is not proper to give razors to monkeys. It will not be easy to stop what those who get razors will do. May the Minister have advisors, who will show the right and the proper path. May students unions too have such advisors.