Teachers oppose political pressure on Jaffna University to back Rajapaksa

The administration of the University of Jaffna is under pressure from the Colombo government and its occupying military in Jaffna to issue a statement supporting Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forthcoming SL presidential elections. The members of the Jaffna University Teaches Union have opposed the move after seeing the draft letter that has been on private circulation among a few Deans and Heads of Departments, informed sources at the University told TamilNet.

The Vice Chancellor Ms Vasanthy Arasaratnam had prepared the letter according to the instructions from Colombo.

Signatures were sought from the Deans and Heads of Department wishing success for Mahinda Rajapaksa who is facing presidential elections for the third time.

SL minister and EPDP leader Douglas Devananda was also influencing the administration to issue the letter.

After strong objections from the university teachers, no one was prepared to put their signatures in the letter, the sources further said.