The Federation of University Teachers’ Association claims that Tamil scholars were being harassed by the CID after Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya claimed publicly that academics from Sri Lanka had attended a conference organised by the Transnational Government of Tamil Ealam.
Chief of Defence Staff
The General had stated that he relied on information provided to the military by a foreign mission based in Sri Lanka, FUTA said in a statement issued yesterday.
FUTA said the Ministry of Higher Education and the University Grants Commission had launched investigations into the participation of several Sri Lankan academics at the conference. The academics in question had been questioned at the airport regarding the conference agenda, FUTA said.
The Association said that it was aware that the World Research Conference on Tamilological Studies 2013 was an international conference at which Tamil scholars from around the world are participating. The President of the Conference is Emeritus Professor A. Sammugadas, University of Jaffna, FUTA siad. “Over one hundred papers have been selected for the conference on a range of subjects such as science and technology, religious and cultural memories, architecture and design, genealogy and kinship, race and ethnic relations, archaeology and historiography as well as many more areas,” the FUTA statement said.
FUTA said the Chief of Defence Staff had no authority to make judgements regarding the content and nature of academic conferences. “The Tamilological conference was by no means furtively organised. None of the Sri Lankan academics attending the conference did so without following the usual procedures required when attending overseas conferences,” FUTA explained.
“Thus, for the Chief of Defence Staff to make a statement as if this was a sensational discovery by the intelligence services is puzzling to say the least,” the Association charged.
Public statements such as the statement referred to being made by the military are extremely problematic and reflect the alarming degree to which Sri Lankan society is being militarised both directly and indirectly, the FUTA statement said.
“The reaction of Sri Lankan authorities to this Conference is an extremely serious issue – it seeks to curtail the scientific interests of the academic community to issues that the state declares as ‘safe’. This is regressive thinking and symptomatic of a highly insecure, authoritarian regime,” FUTA charged.
Referring to Gen. Jayasuriya’s statement as being rash and irresponsible, FUTA said that the UGC reaction was disappointing but highly predictable. “In the current context rather than standing up for academic freedom, the UGC, which is responsible for the quality and development of higher education in this country meekly submits to the rash and irresponsible statements made by one of the most senior military officers in Sri Lanka,” FUTA said.
The Association said that such incidents add credence to the fears expressed by many in society that Sri Lanka is heading towards one of its darkest periods.
“This is yet another instance, where militarisation of all sectors of society and the infiltration of the military into areas which should not be their concern are condoned by those in positions of authority,” FUTA said.
FUTA has called for an explanation from the Chief of Defence Staff.
Jim softy / September 3, 2013
Govt should dissolve even the FUTA.
FUTA is not for Sri Lanka.
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James Ingham / September 3, 2013
You are thinking like Jagath Jayasooriya; how can govt dissolve FUTA ? Don’t you think govt must come clean as to why they are protecting and pampering the mass murdering terrorists with them like KP and Karuna (responsible for cold blooded murder of 700 policemen)rather than trying to castigate those attending a conference in another country?? THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY DEMAND TO KNOW RAJAPAKSE GOVT’S DOUBLE STANDARD ON LTTE ??
MINISTERS WHO ACCUSED PILLAI OF BEING A TIGRESS SHOULD ASK THEIR LEADER IF THEY ARE SINCERE ABOUT THEIR STANCE ON LTTE AND IF SO WHY KP AND KARUNA HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGED?? UNTIL SUCH TIME THE GOVT HAS NO RIGHT TO ACCUSE ANYONE OF BEING LTTE SUPPORTERS OR SYMPATHISERS.
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gova / September 3, 2013
Jim softy u [Edited out]
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mike / September 4, 2013
CT – Any chance of you dissolving (eliminating) JimNutty from these columns?
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Wickramasiri / September 4, 2013
Jim Softly, If you cannot engage impartially, it wise to be silent.
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Fathima Fukushima / September 8, 2013
IGNORE FUTA. That is what they government should do.
Chief of defence staff didn’t give a flying continent!
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Jim softy / September 3, 2013
Peelamists are fighting for Tamils – only ethnic enclaves. How they can work as teachers and play fair in Sinhala dominated universities ?
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Oneshot / September 4, 2013
This jim softy bugger is one who has had his butt hole stuffed with Rajapaksha peanuts. He does not use his mouth anymore for eating food because Rajapakshas fill his ‘Utube’ from behind. He does not use his brain either because some of this muck from behind has leaked into his mutt head and therefore he is writing this Rajafukish rubbish thinking it to be an elixir! Moda Uura!
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jansee / September 4, 2013
Jim softly:
So, when during the JVP uprising, it was the Sinhalas who massacred Sinhalas. How come you are still sleeping in the same bed as the JVP?
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Mahela / September 6, 2013
Jim softy,
Why don’t you get a top job at The Daily News paper. There are many laundry jobs available there.
Already Our Armed forces are building Toilets in Jaffna for Tamil people.
Maybe you could join them.
There are still vacancies available in… Pig Eating Shit & Company.
Please try your luck there. I am looking for a guy to hold my Big Bal..s and you look suitable.
Please remember that Donkeys are born and they could never be corrected.
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Namal Perera / September 3, 2013
Very soon the citizens may have to get permission from the Military to use Public Toilets (Washrooms).
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MrRetort / September 3, 2013
Yes then Jim Jim can lick clean all those for his vast potential.
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Palayang yako! / September 3, 2013
Namal Perera:
I think you already need a “permission note” to do so, particularly in Weliveriya.
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Dissa / September 3, 2013
Gen. Jayasuriya is a known candle holder for the regime…he is all about self-interest and ego…only concerned about “his” achievements…akin to Gota isn’t? …all about himself, as if there was no key player named Gen. Sarath Fonseka!
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gonbella / September 3, 2013
The danger is that one of these days Gen Jagath Jayasuriya may feel that he has more power than the President and may think of governing Sri Lanka all by himself.
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Saro / September 3, 2013
The FUTA must have taken the military training or ‘Leadership Training’ of univerdity entrants and principlas beyond just opposing it. Those in military uniform are interfering in every aspect of life including tourism, education and agriculture. High earing miltary personnel make those industries less efficient and price civilians out of their jobs. In Pakistan, military play civilian role and has grown to the extent of overthrowing civilian governments. The president also seem to like the dictators of past of Libya, Egypt, Iran and present Belarus’ president.
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Rod Atkinds / September 3, 2013
Jim Softly forgot that Chief of Staff is Caholic and he still support West and soon there will be SSCOLE and Ronald Reagan Aircraft Carrier and Fuck them all including MR and his ass lickers…. this will be betrayed by Chief of Staff soon,, watch…… you budhist shot Churches in Weliveriya no? you will get my friend and it will be ENEMY WITH IN :)
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gova / September 3, 2013
Jim softy … u [Edited out]
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Lankan / September 3, 2013
When uneducated fools are at the top, what can you expect? Just because he wears a uniform he is not supreme! Stupidity has been displayed by him in this respect. He should be bothered only with the military matters not civilian matters, it looks as if he is trying to be the President, will he follow the foot steps of the previous General Sarath Fonseka? Is he trying to be a politician down the line. Namal watch out!
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Lapatiya / September 3, 2013
Future Ambassador in Swaziland.
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Fan of Academia / September 3, 2013
I wish the government acts fast on Jim Softy’s advise and dissolve FUTA immediately. Then the govt. could hands-down prove Navi Pillay right and that she has hit a Bull’s-Eye on her assumption that the govt. is moving towards authoritarianism.
How could a government dissolve a civil organization unless that govt. is authoritarian? Even for Jim to think that way is that he himself believes that this govt. is authoritarian and they do not care for democracy or democratic values.
His assumption that the universities are ‘Sinhala dominated” is abhorable. How could a university be Sinhala dominated. All students, with whatever background they come from are equal, and the teaching staff, with whatever background they come from and what ever field of study they come from are equal. Isn’t that what the university education is all about. What is this domination? If there is such, then we know that we a in a fools paradise. Like Jim some may want “cast” domination or “religious” domination in universities n where we will end-up. Only those who have failed to get even closer to (entering) a university would think in such terms.
Has Jagath Jayasuriya ever entered a university in Sri Lanka? What does he know about “academic freedom” Telling him about “academc freedom” may be like “Beeri Alinta Veena Gayana Karanawa wagey” (like playing a fiddle to a deaf elephant). He knows only to fight an enemy. So now he needs one and academics are his enemy.
See how a military officer comment on educational/governmental affairs with impunity. Allowing these people to comment and get away with those shows how that those who are in-charge of education in particular and government in general are all “Napunsakayas”
In a real free academic setting, a study of LTTE is a worthwhile project. But in Sri Lanka if a person suggests/ attempts it, he/she will have a miraculous journey in no time to the next world. That is the beauty of this land, “The Miracle of Asia.”
Fan of Academia
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Wickramasiri / September 4, 2013
Fan of Academia, You raised quite an important point. How can the Chief of Defence Staff, a mere military officer, make a serious public statement? He is not the Defence Secretary. He is not the Head of State or a political figure. By making such statements he reinforces the view that this is a military government. In that case what is Mahinda Rajapaksa, a civillian politician doing in this government? Has the military taken over already?
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Fonseka / September 4, 2013
I wish I could dick slap these shitlese clowns and Jim Softly.
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muslim / September 5, 2013
I am an educated Muslim. I oppose MR. I believe there are no Gods like Vishnu, Katharagama or Saman but Allah, the true creator. And Muhammad (pbuh)is his prophet. Only Koran has Allah’s word. All Bibles are corrupt. I follow Muhammad (pbuh) to the letter. Wahhabi Muslims are true Muslims. I love Wahhabism because I hate idols, monuments and other religions also because I love child wives. We Wahhabis must destroy all other Muslim sects like Ahmadiya in the short run and turn Sri Lanka Muslim in the long run to bring about peace and harmony to this country.
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Shafra / September 8, 2013
you are not an educated at all. Also you are not a Muslim at all.
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Fathima Fukushima / September 8, 2013
Well spoken like a true Muslim.
There are many Muslim pretenders who are a disgrace to the religion of peace. They can worship Buddha.
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Shafra / September 8, 2013
There is no doubt that UGC will react against to these participants since its Chairman Shanika is a Pro-Sinhala Nationalist.
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