Academics object to state-appointed security service at universities

the sunday Times, 25/09/2011
Faculty members of state universities are protesting over a Ministry order that campuses use the services of Defence Ministry security service, Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd. They say the Ministry of Higher Education directive contravenes university regulations. Rakna Arakshaka Lanka is a government-owned commercial security venture that comes under the Ministry of Defence.
The members say the letter from the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education bypasses standard procedures in the hiring and outsourcing of services for universities. “That process requires tenders to be called for and a suitable company be selected in a transparent and independent manner,” they said, adding that the Secretary’s instructions violate established processes and principles of governance and autonomy for academic institutions.
The Higher Education Ministry recently announced that the high costs of hiring private security companies has compelled the ministry to appoint a government-owned company to oversee campus security. Professor Gamini Samaranayaka, chairman of the University Grants Commission, maintained that the security of universities was as important as national security.
The academics say they are concerned about increasing state involvement in university matters.
“We are especially concerned about the role the military establishment is increasingly playing in the administrative and academic spheres of the universities, which are a place of free exchange of ideas, critical thinking, and innovation,” the academics said.
They were referring to a leadership training course for new university entrants conducted earlier this year at military centres.