Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said Sinhala-Buddhist schools such as Ananda and Nalanda colleges should open up a certain "quota" for ethnic and religious minorities when it comes to school admissions. 

 

"Creating boundaries on ethnic and religious grounds is not line with the Buddhist teachings. When I was the President, I asked the Principals of these schools about the minority percentage when it came to school admissions. They did not even have proper answers. When I tried to change it, teachers and old boys took to streets. I managed to send one Muslim boy to Ananda College. However, after two years, he sought a transfer saying he was subjected to ill-treatment," the former President said, addressing a public event yesterday. 

 

In her speech, the former President specifically referred to Ananda, Nalanda and Visakha - three prominent Buddhist schools in Colombo established over 100 years ago. Although they were initially run by Buddhist organizations, they were taken over by the government through a Parliamentary bill under the administration of former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. 

 

"There are some students in these schools who have never interacted with a Muslim or Tamil student. When they resort to extremism, some Tamil and Muslim schools too follow the same path. So, is it a surprise that this country had to deal with a long-drawn war? " the former President questioned. 

 

"When I raised this matter before, those who use racism as a tactic to regain power launched a Facebook campaign against me.They even said I suggested to close down Ananda College. I must a group of foolhardy Sinhalese fell prey to that. There are foolhardy groups among Tamil and Muslim communities too," Kumaratunga asserted. 

 

The former President, who plays a pivotal role in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, heads the Sri Lankan government's mission to strengthen ethnic and religious harmony and reconciliation.