5 months have rolled by since the abduction of Sivasubrmanium Ravindranath, Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University, in Colombo. There has been no response, whatsoever to the appeals made by his family members, educationists and human rights activists to release him. There has been no progress in the investigations conducted by the police.

The family members of the abducted vice Chancellor earlier assured that they would confirm his resignation. They have now appealed to the Presidential Secretariat through the Minister of Higher Studies to accept the resignation.

Last year, Ravindranath made several complaints to the University grants Commission about threats to his life. Although he had made such complaints to the authorities, no action had been taken to provide him with security. Had he be given adequate security, he might not have been abducted in broad day light in Colombo amidst tight security.

The family members feel that if the resignation is accepted, it is likely that he might be released. Therefore, we appeal to Professor Varnapala, the Minister for Higher Studies to act fast on humanitarian grounds.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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