Nov 01, Colombo: Sri Lanka Ministry of Higher Education will have a discussion today with the university teachers' trade union, Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA), the Ministry sources said.

The two parties are expected to discuss the issue of leadership training given to the next batch of new students to the universities.

FUTA Chairman Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri has said that the opinion of the university teachers would be presented to the Ministry of Higher Education at this discussion.

This leadership training was started two years ago amidst severe criticism. It is conducted by military as a residential course. Minister of Higher Education S.B. Dissanayaka has said that the leadership training is for preventing ragging in universities.

The discussion is held based on the understanding between the Ministry of Higher Education and the FUTA that the important matters in the higher education sector will be discussed in this manner.

According to the Ministry the leadership training is carried out in three stages due to the increase of student admissions under a Supreme Court order. The admission of students to the universities of Sri Lanka this year was delayed due to the z-score crisis and the strikes by the university teachers.