Meanwhile, Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa proposed yesterday that the KNDU Bill be completely withdrawn, and that a new Bill be drawn up which protects free education and the Universities Act, No. Accordingly, the SLFP appointed committee has proposed that the KNDU should not be excluded from the regulation and control of the University Grants Commission (UGC). FUTA President Prof. S. Banneheka told The Morning that although several parties had suggested certain amendments to the KNDU Bill including the SLFP, those are not what is actually required. This Government aimed to pass the Bill in Parliament in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, by forcing the public to remain silent,” claimed Jayagoda. The KNDU Bill has received widespread criticism from various quarters for its alleged threats to free education and the militarisation of education.

Source: The Nation August 04, 2021 16:18 UTC