JVP proposes Batticaloa Campus be acquired by Govt.

• Proposes it function as faculty of Eastern University
• Highlight legal concerns regarding how company was established   

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent 

Moving an adjournment motion, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) proposed the government acquires the Batticaloa Campus Ltd. and its properties to be used as a faculty complex for the Eastern University. 

Highlighting the adverse impact on national harmony created by the Batticaloa Campus Ltd., JVP lawmaker Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa presented the recommendation to Parliament.

“Batticaloa Campus Ltd., established using political support, violating laws, and making illegal investments, has become a threat to free education and national harmony. The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education and Human Resources Development has conducted a long investigation and produced its report in Parliament. It is proposed that this illegal establishment is acquired by the Government, and be used to establish a faculty complex for the Eastern University. It is also proposed to arrest those who have engaged in questionable transactions,” he said.

According to MP Jayathissa, former Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and his Hira Foundation have violated the law, and have misled the state from the inception. “There are regulations to follow to establish private degree-awarding bodies. There is a set of State institutions including the Board of Investment, Ministry of Higher Education, or the University Grants Commission, the approval from the professional body representing the degree approval is required. But private degree-awarding businesses came forward, breaking these approvals and regulations. SAITM is the best example,” he said.

“Hizbullah has used political power money to get approval for this Batticaloa Campus Ltd. They started it in June 2013 as the University College Batticaloa, claiming to provide free vocational training under the Hira Foundation headed by Hizbullah. In 2016, by signing an agreement with the BoI, they upgraded into a campus. The 35 acre land was taken from the Mahaweli Authority on a 35 year lease, claiming to establish a vocation training centre. The lease payment was Rs. 14,340 per acre per annum. They have brought $ 24.6 million on seven occasions, from Abdulla Al Jafadi Foundation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but there are questions over the legality of the funding,” he added.

MP Jayatissa, listing the illegal methods followed by M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Hira Foundation, said: “The way the land was obtained is illegal. The approval was given to establish a free vocational training centre under approval. No such approval was obtained following the correct steps. No environmental impact report was obtained. Even though approval was given for 35 acres, they have encroached 8 acres, while requesting to have additional 45 acres. The approval from the Pradeshiya Sabha was not obtained to construct the building. The Hira Foundation has failed to register at the NGO Secretariat. Both Hizbullah and his son are still unable to clarify the source of the money, and whether it is a donation or a loan. Sometimes Hizbullah refers to the money as a loan, and sometimes as a donation. If it is a loan, there is no payment plan available. On the other hand, there is a conflict of interest where Hizbullah, being a Member of Parliament, entered into an agreement with the Government Ministry to establish a vocational training centre. Hizbullah can be punished retrospectively for violation of the law.”