By Colombo Telegraph –
“The strike of university academics is an indirect plot to engineer a regime change. It is similar to what happened in Indonesia where the Suharto’s government was ousted, State Intelligence Service reports said.” says state run Daily News.
We below reproduce the Daily News story in full;
‘Academics trying Indonesia-style plot’
Samanmalee Priyashanthi and Ridma Dissanayake
The strike of university academics is an indirect plot to engineer a regime change. It is similar to what happened in Indonesia where the Suharto’s government was ousted, State Intelligence Service reports said.
At the executive meetings of the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA), priority is given to demands that would place the government in economic difficulty rather than discussing their genuine requirements. These are the same tactics followed by the Indonesian rebels that eventually led to Suharto’s ouster in 1998, sources said.
“The government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa obtained a massive vote base which no party has obtained. Hence, the latest strategy is to weaken the President and government through large scale protests.
“This way, they plan to effect a regime change as in Indonesia,” sources said.
One academic directly mentioned that they should do anything to defeat President Rajapaksa.
According to state intelligence service sources some powerful persons have also agreed assistance to make FUTA’s project a success.
FUTA has presented number of demands to the government and these demands are not implemented in any university throughout the world. They are requesting a rental fee for houses while attending to universities from their own homes and special allowance for two children to study in private schools. But they are always talking against private universities as well.
These things are shameless and unfair, Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake said.
Sri Lanka has allocated a huge sum for the education sector more than in other countries. It is 1.87 percent out of the GDP but lecturers are requesting a six percent allocation which is untenable, the minister said.
Most lecturers have understood that these demands are unfair, he said.
VR / September 17, 2012
What’s up doc ! Any plans to arrest the strike leaders?
The other day the Minister warned that the government could crush the strike in 10 minutes! And now, a ‘conspiracy theory’ is being served. University Teachers, watch out!
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Don Stanley / September 18, 2012
So Gota the goon recognizes that Lanka under Rajapakse is like Indonesia under Gen. Suharto! Suharto was a military dictator who promoted militarization and military and family business, killed the entire Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI after deposing SuKarno), and ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for 30 years until the student uprising that toppled the Suharto dictatorship and has seen the down sizing of military businesses. During Suharto’s time his siblings and children amassed huge fortunes and estates and built foundations! Under Suharto Massacres were committed in East Timor that finally got independence and in Aceh Indonesia and various other regions of the country where the dreaded Indonesian military ruled and ran amok. Of course, Suharto was aided by the US and today Rajapakse is aided by China (which is no longer Communist) the two sides of the COLD WAR IN ASIA!
So now we know the Rajapakse model and it is not a nice one at all! Indeed the student and Dons should ensure regime change swiftly in SRi Lanka and prevent the full blown Rajapakse military dictatorship.
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Dodo / September 18, 2012
So the Suharto Military dictatorship and military business plan to prevent democratic regime change is the Rajapakse model! Now we have it from military intelligence no less.. Let not Lanka go down that brutal path- Lead on FUTA – BE THE MORAL VOICE OF THE NATION AND STOP THE ROTTEN REGIME BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
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James Bond / September 18, 2012
Thanks Daily News reporters Samanmalee Priyashanthi and Ridma Dissanayake for giving us the military intelligence on the Rajapakse dictatorship, it modus operandi and its thinking..
Keep up the great white wash job and we will all go places!
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kumudini / September 19, 2012
I challenge any newspaper to publish the salary scales for the University Dons for the people to realise how much better off they are compared to other professions . This is a futile atempt at throwing their weight behind the JVP nutters to desatbilise the Goverment . I know how much a colleague of mine earns as a Lecturer in Bio Chemistry at Karapitiya Teaching hospital . Their demands are so ridiculous . So pathetic to have hidden agenda’s . Get the facts first and then talk . Not the other way round .
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Pacha Epa / September 21, 2012
Cuckoodini
Why don’t YOU publish the figures since you obviously know what they are instead of indulging in drive-by smears!
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Kamani / September 17, 2012
Gota man is trying to whitevan all the FUTA leaders including other union leaders . Wake up Sri Lankans!!!
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nimanta / September 17, 2012
heh heh…. Nice fictions. They are great fictions since majority of Sri Lankans believe these government trumphets. That is why Government does not try to educate Sri Lankan. when people are uneducated, it is easy to cheat them with these kinds of bilaaaaaaa…
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Bruno Umbato / September 18, 2012
You think people like Ranjith Devasiri and Monk Dambre Amila could educate srilankans …. Go and fly a kite, Nimanta … These guys are extreme recaltrant personalities having big egos …. I could not believe how the real acedemics let these guys to lead … What a shame!
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das / September 18, 2012
Yes, FUTA should allow themselves to be led only by honest and humble leaders like the current govt.
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Bruno Umbato / September 19, 2012
I thought that the learned balanced academics are clean compared to the corrupt arrogant politicians in the country …. How come theses learned acedamics expect the clean environment when they themselves are dirtier than the politicians?
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Pacha Epa / September 21, 2012
Bruno Umbato:
Why don’t you write to your Holy Bible, the Daily Noise? Goodness knows you qualify on the grounds of stupidity and sycophancy!
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ChangeIT / September 18, 2012
Considering this article alongside recent discussions on CT about promoting a single-issue candidate for forthcoming elections, it might not be a bad idea at all for FUTA to spearhead a broader political movement for social change. Regime change is not undemocratic, as Mr. Rajapaksa suggests, and to accuse a group of attempting to do so is to undermine the very foundations of representative government.
One can anticipate criticisms of my proposition. Some members of FUTA may argue that it is not their mandate to engage in partisan politics, and point to deep political divisions within FUTA itself to illustrate the futility of such an exercise. to this, I say, that any protest is inherently political, in that it implicates broader structures/fields of power. So FUTA is already engaged in `politics’, whether they see it that way or not. Certainly, having an education does not necessarily also imply the possession of a moral compass, as evidenced by the several academics – some of whom were (previously) highly respected – who are defending this regime, including some from the traditional left parties of SL. But I think many reasonable academics will be capable of, at the very least, agreeing on a set of propositions that could guarantee the dignity and equality of the human person, the right to engage in peaceful protest (even against themselves), the establishment of independent commissions, equality before the law, the enhancement of education standards etc. There could be quibbles over economic policy, but at this specific juncture, perhaps it is more imperative to focus on establishing the conditions within which we can live our everyday lives with dignity and without fear.
A political coalition supported by FUTA should, for instance, include broad segments of the population to ensure proper representation, and a strong commitment to the people that any person guilty of abuse of power and corruption would be dealt with according to the law. It would also be beneficial if such an alliance not align itself with any of the established political parties simply with the intent of ushering in regime change. Such a coalition may not win a majority in parliament, but the experiences of the political refashioning the JVP during the Kumaratunga regime show how even a small group of representatives could have far-reaching implications on government policy.
If Sinhala Buddhist discourse has been articulated as a political strategy in the past, I think a FUTA-led coalition could easily further a more secular ideology. People in rural Sri Lanka vote for very different sets of issues than those in urban areas. But, taken together, I don’t think a representative number of people in this country would be averse to a political ideology that emphasizes equality, justice, and fair play – whether articulated in the form of `secular’ discourse or otherwise.
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Lanka Muslim, UK / September 18, 2012
A ‘Single Issue’ strategy or any other should not be entrusted to any ‘Single Candidate’ who could himself manipulate or be manipulated by some ‘vested interests. The responsibility should be entrusted to a ‘Group’ Academic and Professionals in the country have not so far taken a leading role in the affairs of the country representing the interests of the people. The FUTA, in a unprecedented move by its present agitation has set a good example. This initiative should be strengthened and developed into a ‘Peoples Movement’ with the objective of getting rid of the present ‘people unfriendly’ political culture and bring about a new order.
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Pacha Epa / September 21, 2012
ChangeIT:
Thanks for a refreshingly intelligent response to the issue! Sure beats the Buruma Vambatos who keeping putting their one and a half cents into this publication!
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Jim / September 18, 2012
shut the hell up, give 6% from your stollen gold investments
yes, opposing your white-van utopia is new ‘terrorism’?
we have more faith in our youngsters than you do
we have greater trust/hope in our future youth than in you sickos
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Nirosh / September 18, 2012
How can uneducated, uncultured bastards understand the problems in the country? The president of the country is a murderer of his own child, a murderer of one of his own girlfrieds, responsible for thousands of whitevan abductions and killings, the killers are housed within his bodyguards. How can such people govern a country? At best they are suitable to run a meat shop under Ranil’s government!
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Native Vedda / September 18, 2012
Nirosh says:
“How can uneducated, uncultured bastards understand the problems in the country?”
Twenty million of them, it is bit too high for any international standard.
You ask:
“How can such people govern a country?”
It is simple, you have twenty million stupid people in this country.
You say:
” The president of the country is a murderer of his own child, a murderer of one of his own girlfrieds, responsible for thousands of whitevan abductions and killings,”
You have conveniently forgotten their war crimes and crime against humanity records. Killing the Tamils does not count as war crimes, does it?
You are angry with MR clan because they have not wiped out the Tamils from the face of this earth.
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Ramona U / September 18, 2012
Indonesian students kicked out a dictator and ushered in democracy..yeah its doom’s day
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Don Carolis / September 18, 2012
The Sri Lanka rupee has depreciated 30 percent this year and is crashing due to all the debt run up by the regime corrupt regime of Rajapakse crooks who are also manipulating SEC and stock market.
FUTA should ask for 50 percent increase if they want to stop the brain drain from Lanka because most of those who leave will be paid in foreign currency.. and a 20 percent increase is less than the depreciation of the rupee…
The real wealth of nations as the story of Singapore shows is investment in EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES!
How come the corrupt Rajapakse regime have no money for education and to pay teaches and academics, but have lots for white elephant infrastructure in Hambantota and a swollen military that is cutting grass and doing dolphin tours.. to keep GOta the goon happy and Lanka militarized to prevent regime change?!
Not to mention Swiss bank accounts and playing the stock market with EPF funds and Namal’s sports shows – night racing, drag racing, Rugby 7, bolly wood nights, SAARC beach games, Commonwealth Games bid etc and the list goes on..
The development priorities of the regime are so screwed up! GO FUTA – lead the regime change!
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harak watcher / September 18, 2012
Suharto was kicked out by the people due nepotism,family bandysm,corruption,crony politics,illegal killing of Indo citizens.The people kicked him out,just like Marcos,Shah,Arab despots.
Sri Lanka has become like Suharto Indonesia within 7 years,Suharto took 30 years to do what Mara family bandysm has done to Lanka.
No report can stop the will of the people.
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Sirimala / September 18, 2012
MR leadership is becoming weak before Mervin and his calamities.
Proof : it took almost a week Mervin ´s notorius sons and the clique to be remanded.
What would MR respond to this ? As the minister of defence of current regime
What would so called war hero -GR respond why the police did not react immediately ? what could he say about the incident ?
What would SLFP party seniors say about the incident ?
People of the country should be adequately informed when a minister to be resigned ?
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janadasa / September 18, 2012
What a unintelligent State Intelligence Service we have?
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Yoosif / September 18, 2012
The article is trying to mislead people. It mostly mentions lot of heresay. May be salary anomaly is a the crust of the cake, which is under the icing.
The major issue put forward by FUTA is allocation of 6% of GDP for education. When that aspect realizes all other minor issues will sort out. Though we just here about the asking rent fee even they stay in their own houses can’t be unfair. All the MP and Ministers claim that kind of rental reimbersement from the Govt. While they provide far less valuable service the country as a whole.
In fact most of executive cadre of any service ( Govt and Private )is provided with such perks. So it can’t be unfair.
And asking special allowance for two children to study in private schools is out right, rediculus lie. What nonsense this report says.
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lal / September 18, 2012
NOW WE NEED A PLOT TO GET RID OFF THESE CRIMINAL UNEDUCATED UNDERWORLD CROOKS FROM POWER TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY.
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Senguttuvan / September 18, 2012
The strike of the FUTA students/lecturers is worrying the Rajapakse regime to no end. The political street hounds they are they fear this issue can break the Camel’s back. And so Sajin Vaas is despatched to lodge a Police Entry to effect the President’s life is in danger.
Pray tell us – from whom and where? What is the source and substance of this threat?
It is quite possible an issue will be invented and the army sent in to break the Strike – as threatened by the garrulous SBD. The political animal he is, SBD knows he was given the Education Ministry to dilute his political career. The Education Ministry, after all, is the graveyard of aspiring PMs and Presidents who become too ambitious in the eyes of the incumbents. SBD hardly hid his eventual goal which he wants which is why he ditched the PA for the UNP and back to the UPFA.
More than Suharto’s Indonesian example should be the fear of the Arab Spring in the minds of the Rajapakse regime where all anti-Govt forces converged to rid the countries of more than one despot. Like FUTA those in the streets of the Arab countries waited there day and night for weeks and achieved their goals.
Senguttuvan
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gayan / September 18, 2012
These University academics are not intellectuals (except a very few). At first they supported the President just to fool him and get their salaries increased. The President was not fooled by their selfish demands. Now the academics are going behind Ranil and JVPs. The UNP destroyed the free education in this country. JVP killed many academics and disgraced them in various ways. Now they say they will protect free education. The 6% GNP demand of the academics is only a make up to cover there ugly faces.
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gert / September 19, 2012
I thought the UNP did a lot for education. free text books, mahapola, free midday meal for school kids etc? And anyway, I dont see Ranil and the UNP supporting this strike very much.
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Senguttuvan / September 19, 2012
If I do not offend reader Gayan too much, allow me to argue the UNP did not ruin Free Education in the country. If the Ragama Medical College was allowed to function without let, we would have produced a crop of quality medical doctors. If at all we have something to claim about our quality of education, it is some of the leading private “International Schools” that have stood us well. I must add most of these in the suburbs and in the hinterland are of poor quality, with few exception but what does a parent, who can barely afford the fees, do if there is no school for his child. I am myself a beneficiary from CWW Kannangara’s (UNP) Free Education Policy but I came to realise later that the F/E Policy cannot be sustained with the diminishing resources of the country. I am against paid-for Medical Colleges and Schools that certainly sharpens the social divide. I still find it amusing some of them came under the BoI but then what is the alternative?
Senguttuvan
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kamal nissanka / October 2, 2012
FUTA you must learn from 1971, 1987-1989, and LTTE defeat. You are neither Marxist nor Liberals. A half educated lot of no significance. Many of you do not have a proper knowledge of a second language. i think this lot should resign from the posts. There are lots of honors degree holders in Sri Lanka.
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Peterappu / October 2, 2012
What kind of generalizations ? So long you guys behave as if deaf and dumb, current regime can maraud the nation easily.
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