Any proposal for the privatisation of Universities will only lead to the abrogation of the Free Education enunciated by Mr. C. W. W. Kannangara. It is the Free Education that helped the unfortunate rural children to acquire knowledge and resulted in producing eminent scholars. In fact, the Free Education was introduced to give every child to acquire knowledge from the kindergarten to the University at the expense of the State.

The undergraduates of the universities protested and organised rallies against the decision of the government to privatise the Universities. The Minister of Higher Education having known the dangers of this move, blatantly denied such a move by the government. The Free Education Scheme should remain untouched and allow the students to be educated under the State.

There are several private educational institutes conducting classes and preparing students for higher studies in collaboration with foreign universities. Only the fortunates enjoy such education paying enormous sums. In our country at present we have International schools and other private institutions operating and charging enormous sums from persons who could afford.

It is noticed that these educational institutes do not adhere to the Educational Code of our country and violation of the directives of the Ministry of Education. It will be far better if the Minister of Education probes this matter and finds out whether the functioning of such educational institutions is detrimental to the Free Education Scheme.
A. M. M. Reyal
Mt. Lavinia