UGC Chair says ragging will not be tolerated

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to switch to online lectures in event of ragging incidents preventing the conduct of usual academic activities. UGC Chairman Sampa th Amaratunge said similar to the decision taken at the Peradeniya University where one of the faculties were closed recently due to a ragging incident, they would not hesitate to introduce online education systems. He said all universities were equipped to handle online lectures and switching to the online mode would not be difficult.

Prof. Amaratunge said they would consider ragging as a serious offence which was punishable under the anti-ragging act. He said student unions demonstrated and wanted the universities re-opened instead of conducting lectures online, but when they were reopened attempts were made to disrupt academic activities. The UGC managed to revive educational activities at universities after several disruptions during the past couple of years mainly due to the COVID-19 situation followed by the economic crisis. UGC sources said they were making arrangements to expedite the admission of the next batch as well. Applications, based on the results of the 2021 A/L exams, closed on Friday. The students were able to sit the A/L exams only in 2022.