The Hon. Prime Minister

¶ 01 Intakes with more than 17,000 students are currently continuing their studies or have completed their degrees.

¶ 02 This question is with regard to the incident that took place at the Sabaragamuwa University. The UGC has initiated an inquiry into this. There is a committee that has been appointed to investigate the incident. That is separate from the ongoing police investigation. Representatives from the UGC have also been appointed to this investigation committee to inquire into the lead-up and the incidents surrounding the tragic death of the student at the Sabaragamuwa University. The Vice Chancellor of the Sabaragamuwa University has instructed the Chair of the investigation committee to also include the representatives proposed by the UGC in this Committee.

¶ 03 The Centre for Gender Equity and Equality maintains a 24/7 online complaint portal since 2017 and a helpline operating during working hours to receive complaints on ragging and sexual and gender-based violence. We recently had a discussion and have taken steps to ensure that this helpline is operational 24 hours a day. All complaints received through emails, letters and in person are fed to the online complaint portal. The complaints are then referred to the Gender Focal Point in the university and to the Vice Chancellor within three working days for an initial investigation, and the Vice Chancellor must report back to the UGC within a two-week period.

¶ 04 There are also preventive measures, which have been taken in the past, that we have asked the UGC to intensify now. Introduction of workshops and awareness programmes are some of the actions taken based on the findings of a research conducted in 2018 by the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality titled “Prevalence of Ragging and Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Sri Lankan State Universities”. So, we have asked that awareness programmes on prevention of these issues also be intensified within the university system.

¶ 05 The Ministry had a meeting last week with all the Vice Chancellors, Marshals and all others responsible for student discipline and dealing with these matters including gender focal points of all universities. It was proposed that a Task Force be established to identify short-term as well as medium- and long-term steps that could be taken to deal with this issue because we understand that it is complicated. Ragging is no longer what, at least, my generation understands as ragging; it is much more complicated. It is not only ragging. There is also bullying, harassment and online violence. So, all of that needs to be looked at, investigated, understood and a proper mechanism must be set up to address these issues.

¶ 06 4. So, there are two things that we are doing. One is, we have instructed the Vice Chancellors and the UGC to make sure that the existing law is implemented to the letter. But that is a punitive matter. We are also very focused on preventive measures and making sure that the university environment in no way supports these kinds of incidents. So, this is why this Task Force has been established to identify what measures need to be taken to address this issue. If the Task Force recommends and the Vice Chancellors and the UGC also feel that the existing legislation is insufficient, we will review it or bring in new legislation, as necessary. But I want to emphasize again that punitive measures themselves are not going to address this problem. This is far more complicated and it is also linked to student welfare and support. So, what is required is a comprehensive approach to deal with this issue holistically.

¶ 07 5. The Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE) has initiated the establishment of a Survivor Support System designed for victims of violence and harassment of ragging to come forward and to support witnesses, facilitating the reporting of these incidents and making sure that those who report such incidents or come forward with complaints are supported through this process as well.

¶ 08 6. Then, the Hon. Member has requested the names of all registered student unions operating in the universities. Since this Question reached me yesterday, I have not obtained all the information yet. So, that information is not available with me at the moment.

¶ 09 Thank you, Hon. Speaker.