JVP asks parents not to send children for leadership training

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday called on parents of the university students who have been asked to participate in the leadership training programme in military camps proposed by the government to boycott the programme by not sending their children for it.

JVP parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a press conference that parents should not send their children for the proposed programme.

He said the students and their parents have to be properly informed of the programme before the government decides to make it compulsory.

He added that it was still not clear if the programme was carried out by the University Grants Commission, Higher Education Ministry, or the Defence Ministry.

According to him, Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake could not take unilateral decisions about the university students.

The JVP MP asked parents to take a firm decision as there is no provision in the law for the higher education authorities to take action against children if they fail to attend the training sessions.