{"id":143763,"date":"2015-04-30T04:09:00","date_gmt":"2015-04-29T22:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=143763"},"modified":"2015-04-30T10:58:57","modified_gmt":"2015-04-30T05:28:57","slug":"ensure-academic-freedom-in-jaffna-university-justa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/ensure-academic-freedom-in-jaffna-university-justa\/","title":{"rendered":"Ensure Academic Freedom In Jaffna University: JUSTA"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Jaffna University Science Teachers\u2019 Association<\/span><\/a> (JUSTA) today called upon authorities to take necessary steps to ensure academic freedom and freedom of expression in the University of Jaffna.<\/p>\n

\"Vasanthi<\/a>

Vasanthi Arasaratnam – Jaffna VC<\/p><\/div>\n

“A discussion on a book is an academic exercise. An academic culture is nurtured by reexamining existing theories and beliefs, proposing new theories and discussing them openly. Stopping an academic exercise without any tangible threat to public order is a grave violation of academic freedom.” the Jaffna University Science Teachers\u2019 Association said min a statement.<\/p>\n

Issuing a statement on Vice Chancellor\u2019s banning of the discussion of the book \u2018Palmyra Fallen: From Rajani to War\u2019s End\u2019, JUSTA says;”If a discussion by academics on a freely available book cannot be held in a University where else can such an activity be organized? We request all those concerned with academic freedom, freedom of expression and the protection of our well-being to condemn this action by the Vice Chancellor of University of Jaffna and urge the authorities to take necessary steps to ensure that such arbitrary measures that blight our future are not repeated in the future.”<\/p>\n

We publish below the statement in full;<\/p>\n

Statement by JUSTA on Vice Chancellor\u2019s Banning of a Book Discussion<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Jaffna University Science Teachers\u2019 Association (JUSTA) organized on 24th April 2015 a discussion<\/span><\/a> of the book \u2018Palmyra Fallen: From Rajani to War\u2019s End<\/span><\/a>\u2019 authored by one of its members, Dr.Rajan Hoole, who is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics. Since the book speaks of the current situation, public interest was anticipated in the discussion. Therefore, the invitation welcomed their participation.<\/p>\n

As outsiders to the University were expected, the organizers (the JUSTA) routinely sought the Vice Chancellor\u2019s permission by letter of 17th April 2015. In a meeting with the Deans on 21st April 2015 the Vice Chancellor read out a letter from the President of the University Students\u2019 Union that alleged that the proposed discussion would disturb the peace in the University and wanted it stopped. Certain academics had told the student that politicians from the South were coming for the meeting with a sinister agenda, although the advertisement made it clear that all speakers were academics. The Vice Chancellor spoke along the same lines to the deans.<\/p>\n

Subsequently the JUSTA received a letter from the Vice Chancellor<\/span><\/a> dated 21.04.2015 informing them: \u2018It has been decided that this type of activities are not allowed within the University of Premises\u2019 (sic). Then it stated: \u2018I regret to inform you that permission is not granted in respect of your request.\u2019<\/p>\n

We learned later that this student leader did not convene a meeting of the Executive Committee of the USU and knew nothing about the book. In an interview with the BBC-Tamil Service the Vice Chancellor too admitted neither having read the book nor seen it.<\/p>\n

The following points call for the immediate attention of community leaders and politicians of our country.<\/p>\n