Hisbulla’s Punani ‘Sharya’ University: Money Laundering project?
Following the Easter Sunday terror attacks, a group of BBC Sinhala Service journalists had visited the area and investigated the ‘Sharya’ university in Batticaloa and uncovered many details regarding thud project.
The areas where National Thawheed Jamath (NTJ) training centres were located in Thimbirigeya, Kaththankudy and surrounding areas is located close to the ‘Sharya’ university and it is believed that this university was intended to educate students on ‘Sharya Law’ and radicalise them.
Commencement: During the Mahinda Rajapaksa rule
The land in extent of 35 acres had been allocated for the construction of this university by the Mahaweli Authority during the Rajapaksa regime.
According to the National University Lecturer’s Association, the said institution:
In 2013 June: had commenced as the Malik Abdulla University College Vocational Training Institution.
In 2014: The name was changed to Batticaloa University College.
In 2015: It was registered under the Business Registration Act as the Batticaloa Campus (Pvt) Ltd.
In 2016: the name was again changed to Batticaloa Campus of Sri Lanka and registered under the BOI.
Investment: contradictory reports
The Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hisbulla states that the said they had obtained a concessionary loan from Ali Abdullah Al Jifali Foundation in Saudi Arabia for the construction of the university.
According to him, the loan obtained in six instalments amounting to Rs. 3,600 million is payable after 15 years.
He said all expenses had been notified to the Inland Revenue Department.
However, the University Lecturers Association Secretary Prof. Channa jayasumana states that there are contradictory reports regarding these funds.
''This is a money laundering project''
“We are suspicious whether this project is a money laundering endeavour.”
Meanwhile, State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardena said that an investigation needs to be carried out regarding the manner money has been received for this project.
In response to a question raised by MP Hesha Vithanage, Ruwan Wijewardena said orders had been issued to acquire the Batticaloa Sharya University under the Higher Education Ministry.
Proposed Faculties and courses at the university:
. Engineering and Information Technology Faculty
· Architecture and survey Faculty
· Law Faculty
· Tourism and Business Management Faculty
· Agriculture and Resource Management Faculty
· Religious, Culture and Language Faculty
· Initial plans had also been made for a Medical Faculty
Sharya University?
Hisbulla rejected allegations that this was a Sharya University, but admitted that there were provisions to study Islam and Sharya law as a subject.
“Sharya means Islam religion. There is no need to set up universities to teach Sharya. It is something that every Muslim follows,” he said.
However, Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that according to the documents handed over to the University Grants Commission, it is only the Department of Sharya that is proposed under the Law Faculty.
Facilities at the University
According to official reports, there is provision for;
· Seating capacity for 200 students with three lecture halls
· 14 lecture halls with seating facilities for 80 students each
· 08 modern laboratories
· 150 rooms for accommodation for the staff
· Hostel facilities for 1000 students
Targeted students:
According to project reports handed over to the University Grants Commission:
It is expected to enrol the following number of students.
By 2019 - 3,670 students
By 2020 – 5,380 students
Hisbulla stated that it was anticipated to enrol 10,000 students by 2025.
According to him this university was not intended for Muslim students alone.
“This university is open to Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim students. There is no possibility of enrolling only Muslim students. For example, only a student with the required qualifications can register with the Institute of Chartered Engineering,” he said.
However, the University Lecturers Association noted that there is a practical issue in students of other provinces choosing the Eastern province.
“Eventually, this will turn out to be an institution that teaches a limited scope of subjects such as the Islam laws and their banking systems which will target just a specific community.”
University design: according to Moghul architecture
Many who opposed the university had commented about the appearance and design of the said university.
However, the Eastern Governor said that this university had been designed by a reputed Sinhalese architect based on Moghul architecture.
“The universities which are built with state funds are designed according to the relevant areas they are located in and the cultures in those areas. We are building this university with our own money and we have the right to design it the way we want.”
“Even the South Eastern University is built based on Muslim architecture, but there are Sinhalese students studying there,” he said.
Political responses:
There are requests to acquire the Punani university under the government.
MP Kavinda Jayawardena said, “By allowing universities specific to particular races or religions it creates the grounds for separatism.”
Therefore, he submitted a private members bill requesting the government to take over this university.
Expressing his views in parliament last Thursday, Leader of the Muslim Congress and Minister of Higher Education Rauff Hakeem said as there are suspicions raised over this university, this matter should be discussed with the UGC and resolved.
However, President Maithripala Sirisena engaging in a tour of the East stated that measures would be taken to allow this university to function as a private institution.
“A wrong notion has been created regarding this university and once it is clear what is being taught at this university and what the subjects are, this suspicion will be cleared,” he said.