State agencies address Z-score fallout

Around 800 complaints received from students:

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The Higher Education Ministry yesterday said they will take action to address the social impact to students affected by the Z-score issue.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) is to summon officials of the Higher Education Ministry, University Grants Commission, Examination Department and Education Ministry at the SLHRC head office over the matter to discuss how they will go about addressing the social impact created by the problem.

Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr Sunil Jayantha Nawarathna said they met Attorney General Palitha Fernando on the matter to seek his advice.

This was following a meeting held between Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission officials and the education authorities.

SLHRC Chairman Justice Priyantha R P Perera had called for this meeting upon receiving around 800 complaints from the affected students. The number of complaints received by the Commission from students who have represented their cases as being disadvantaged by z score and violation of their human rights thereof has exceeded 1,500 as of now, according to SLHRC sources.

Dr Nawaratna said,they have informed the Attorney General about their willingness to take action to address the social impact caused by Z -score to restore the conditions of those who have been affected by the situation.

“We will take actions to resolve these problems once the Supreme Court declares its determination on the z-score petition ” he added. The Daily News reliably learns that Sri Lanka Human Rights Council Chairman Justice Perera is to meet Higher Education Ministry officials for a round of talk on Tuesday once he returns to the country from a tour abroad on Monday. SLHRC sources said ,it will be important to reach a “meaningful settlement” to the problems of those students who have been distressed by the situation, .”

Meanwhile, sources at Higher Education Ministry said they will take steps to increase the number of student intake to universities by 3,000.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been asked to consult the Attorney General to decide on the steps to be taken regarding students disappointed over their previous Z-scores being changed.

Ministry of Higher Education has reportedly directed UGC to obtain information regarding these students.Ministry sources said , the discussions are now being held with the affected parties.