The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake

¶ 01 Sir, I thank the Prime Minister for the Answer given to my Question. About 173,000 students get through the A/Ls and only 53,000 students enter State universities. So, on that basis, there is a deprivation of about 120,000 students who get through the A/Ls with the Government not affording them an opportunity. When we consider that, we find that those who have done better have the opportunity to go into State universities and get free education. Thereafter, their leaving our shores for better pastures or for the betterment of their future does not help the country. Therefore, is there any way we could link them so that there would be some contributory service provided by them to the country? I am all for free education, and if all the 173,000 students could get that opportunity, there is no problem at all. But, there is a loss of opportunity for those students who have succeeded at the exam with the Government not providing them that opportunity. Also, it is the taxpayers who are paying for their education. You select those who get higher Z-scores. Later, while they get the opportunity to go overseas, the others get deprived of that opportunity. Anyway, you openly answered and I appreciate that.