Anandasangaree deplores TNA stand on Hoole

COLOMBO: No one should meddle with the administration of the Jaffna University and ruin the education of students, states TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree, referring to protests made by the TNA regarding the appointment of Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole as Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University.

"Some TNA Parliamentarians had met the President and requested him not to appoint Prof. Hoole. One can understand the students of the University protesting, may be out of ignorance or instigated by some one.

"But the Members of Parliament protesting shows the subservient position they hold in their relationship with the LTTE," Anandasangaree said in a news release.

Prof. Hoole's achievements in the academic field and his capabilities are, if not known to the other members, very much known to Sambanthan who headed the deputation, Anandasangaree added.

He said: "Prof. Ratnajeevan threw away very high positions that came his way and returned with a heap of achievements to his credit, to serve his country and his people.

Having served for a fair length of time for his country, when an opportunity came on his way to serve his people, his life long ambition too, he accepted the office of Vice-Chancellor of the Jaffna University. The students of the Jaffna University welcomed his appointment, in large numbers.

There is a small group that, under threat, give directions to the others, who numbers many thousands. This small group derives authority from the Vanni leadership. It is the Vanni leadership that decides whether the University should be closed or opened.

These members went to Pallai, summoned by the LTTE to get the directive as to what they should do.

The students had been asked to back Mr. Kumaravel, a politician and ardent supporter of the LTTE and its campaigner too. How can a Tiger be appointed as the Vice- Chancellor, of a University run by the Government? Prof. Hoole is not a politician. He is an academic.

Let the students of the University decide what is good or bad for them.

Let us not forget that the Tamil Community, which was once rich with academics, eminent lawyers and very talented men, could not find one English speaking person to join the LTTE team, that went to Geneva, to determine the destiny of the Tamil people.

There are many things for the students to protest. They can protest the deprivation of their democratic and fundamental rights of their human rights violations etc. One of their fellow students was shot dead and burnt with his tractor by the LTTE at Kudaththanai.

But no one had the guts to protest against it, why ? I call upon the students to fight to establish a free society in their land.

Let them not worry about Prof. Hoole who is very much in demand and can get a much better position than the Vice-Chancellorship of a University. It is not Prof. Hoole who is the loser. It is a pity that the University of Jaffna is deprived of the services of a highly qualified and a capable professor.

Prof. Hoole never served in Jaffna. How did these protesters discover him as an anti-Tamil, is not a secret. Prof. Hoole is a Tamil who loves his language and culture and takes pride in calling himself a Tamil."