Another case of inhumane ragging has been reported from Sri Jayewardenepura University, according to Higher Education Minister Suren Raghavan. He emphasized that many instances of harassment of junior students by their seniors within universities go unreported, but the government is determined to eradicate this issue completely.
During a recent session in Parliament, the Minister revealed that 15 students from Sri Jayewardenepura had their heads and facial hair shaved using the same razor, despite the health risks involved. He even compared this act to a criminal offense, stating that any infection caused by the shared razor could be fatal.
Despite the efforts of previous governments and the implementation of various laws and regulations to prohibit ragging, these dehumanizing experiences continue to plague the university system. Unfortunately, most freshmen endure such suffering without lodging any complaints, fearing potential repercussions from their seniors throughout their academic lives.
When asked for a comment on this latest revelation, Minister Raghavan stated that the government has taken new measures to enforce existing laws and regulations in order to combat this menace. He also mentioned that the Vice Chancellors of all 17 universities will soon present their cases before the Supreme Court to address this crisis.
“The universities are autonomous bodies, and their respective senates have the authority to take action,” he added.
The Minister emphasized that such inhumane acts infringe upon individuals’ fundamental rights, making them punishable offenses under both local and international laws.
To address this issue, the higher education authorities have established a hotline to receive complaints.
Sri Lanka’s higher education sector is filled with horrifying stories of ragging, which have even resulted in deaths. Under the guise of ragging, seniors impose restrictions on newcomers, including dictating what they can wear. These politically motivated student organizations, such as the Inter-University Student, contribute to the perpetuation of this problem.
