Dons abandon trade union action against Colombo VC

June 13, 2013, 10:10 pm

by Dasun Edirisinghe, the island

The Colombo University Teachers’ Association (CUTA), which at the end of May threatened an all-out strike within two weeks, if newly appointed Vice Chancellor did not step down from the post, have given up their demand as they lack support.

University sources told The Island yesterday that the scheduled strike would not be staged due to the faculty teachers’ unions not supporting the trade union action.

A section of Colombo University teachers opposed the appointment of new VC, Dr. Wijaya Kumara Hirimburegama, who assumed duties on May 27, claiming that it was politically motivated and unethical as his wife was serving as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

On condition of anonymity, a senior academic, attached to the Colombo University, said that the CUTA’s decision to stop all correspondence with the Vice Chancellor, too, had failed.

"Earlier, we planned not to accept memos or letters from the newly appointed VC, but we cannot do it because the majority of teachers do not like to do so," he said, adding that they could not boycott the meetings with the VC either, as planned earlier.

However, that did not mean that the CTUA accepted Dr. Hirimburegama’s appointment as VC, he said.

The academic said that some teachers believed that it was an appointment made by President Mahinda Rajakapska and it could

not be reversed even if they protested. Another faction of teachers was afraid of being victimised by the university administration for openly fighting against the VC.

The reversed decision would be announced at a future media conference scheduled for the last week of the month, the sources said.

Kelaniya don’s petition  dismissed

June 5, 2013, 10:26 pm , the island

by Chitra Weerarathne

The Court of Appeal recently dismissed the Writ Application, filed by Prof. M. D. Amerasinghe, Head of the Department of Botany of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya against the appointment of Prof. D. D. S. Kulatunga as the Dean of the Faculty of Science of the same University by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sarath Amunugama, in January 2012.

In his judgment President of the Court of Appeal, Justice S. Sriskandarajah, explained that, in the present case, merely a complaint had been made and a criminal case instituted in the Magistrate’s Court. But, the second respondent, Prof. D. D. S. Kulatunga had not been convicted in the proceedings of the magisterial inquiry. The court had observed that the departmental inquiry revealed that there was no evidence to convict Prof. Kulatunga for any charge brought against him.

In the circumstances, the first respondent, Vice Chancellor, could not be faulted for not taking any steps against the second respondent, Prof. Kulatunga, who had been the Head of the Department of Mathematics and entitled to contest for the post of the Dean, Faculty of Science. At the election, he had been elected as the Dean of the Faculty. In the circumstances, the Vice Chancellor had no option but to appoint Prof. Kulatunga the Dean of the Science Faculty. Hence, the appointment could not be challenged as ultra vires of the provisions of law or on the ground of procedural irregularity. Therefore, the Court of Appeal dismissed the petition, but without cost.

N. Kodituwakku appeared for the petitioner Professor Mala D. Amerasinghe. The Deputy Solicitor General, Neil Unambuwe, appeared for the respondents.

Govt. tackles student issues in highhanded manner – FUTA

June 5, 2013, 10:11 pm , the island

By Dasun Edirisinghe

The government’s crushing of Sabaragamuwa University undergraduates’ protest last Saturday proved its overall plan to manipulate and control universities according to its whims and fancies and to gradually destroy the state education system, Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) claimed yesterday.

Addressing a media briefing at the Open University of Sri Lanka, FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri said that it was extremely important to engage constructively and critically with students regarding their collective actions.

"We unreservedly condemn the violent response of the authorities to students’ protest and call upon them to adopt a more flexible approach in dealing with student issues," he said.

 Dr. Dewasiri said that the government’s response was extremely provocative and high-handed. Even violent demonstrations and fasts by members close to the government were dealt with completely differently when compared to how student demonstrations and protests were handled.

Banning of student unions of the Sabaragamuwa University few months ago was a violation of the democratic rights of students, the FUTA chief said, adding that they believed that the crisis that had developed over the last few days was yet another consequence of the short-sighted measures of university authorities in responding to student protests.

"Our attention is drawn to two aspects in relation to this situation: firstly, the response of the university administration to student protests and secondly the response of the police and government authorities to student protests," Dr. Dewasiri said, noting that they had found that the university administration police as well as government authorities had comprehensively failed to respond effectively and appropriately to the situation that has arisen due to student protests.

The senior academic also said that the Teachers’ Union of Sabaragamuwa University had grave concerns about student behaviour in the buildup and during the series of protests. However, that did not justify the anti-democratic and aggressive response of the authorities to the student protest, Dr. Dewasiri said. 

The police riot squad finally dispersed the protesters with the liberal use of tear gas after they blocked the Badulla–Colombo highway for about six hours.

Sabaragamuwa u’grads worried about repercussions

June 3, 2013, 9:31 pm , THE ISLAND

by Dasun Edirisinghe

 Undergraduates of the Sabaragamuwa University yesterday claimed that the university administration planned to suspend 45 students for organising Saturday’s protest against the suspension of eight students.

Spokesman of the Sabaragamuwa University Students’ Collective Rasindu Jayasinghe claimed that there was a list of 45 students, prepared by the disciplinary committee, with the knowledge of Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake, to be suspended.

"Minister Dissanayake wants to suspend students disregarding the University Council," he said.

Undergraduates of the Sabaragamuwa University launched a hunger strike last Thursday, demanding the withdrawal of the eight-month suspension imposed on eight students by the university administration. Another section of undergraduates organised a protest blocking the Badulla–Colombo road on Saturday. They obstructed vehicular movement for six hours, finally the police had to fire tear gas to disperse them and reopen the road.

Jayasinghe said that several times during the last few months the Higher Education Ministry had threatened student leaders who organised struggles against academic and welfare problems.

"We don’t need to develop this to the closure of the university as this is the exam period," he said, adding that they would complain to the Human Rights Commission shortly.

When contacted, Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Mahinda Rupasinghe said that the university administration was yet to take a decision on suspending the 45 students.

"We cannot suspend students suddenly," Prof. Rupesinghe said, noting that it had to be decided through a disciplinary inquiry and relevant procedures.

Registrar of the University M. M. Wimalasiri also denied any decision to suspend 45 students.

OIC of the Samanalawewa police Lawrence Fernando said that they were looking for another suspect who had helped protesting students to obstruct the Badulla-Colombo road.

Students involved in Sab. Uni. clash will be suspended -SB

June 2, 2013, 10:06 pm , the island


By Norman Palihawadana

Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake yesterday said that he would suspend the students who were responsible for the recent clashes at the Sabaragamuwa University.

The clashes followed the suspension of four students, who were members of the JVP-backed students’ union. They had been found guilty of visiting houses, where other students were boarded, at night and incident them to violence through indoctrination.

The Minister said that several students had held a protest blocking the highway and demanding that the suspensions of those four students be lifted.

In one instance they had obstructed the movement of three ambulances forcing the police to fire tear gas and subsequent to this the protesters had attacked the police with stones and other objects which resulted in the police baton charging them, Minister Dissanayake said.

Twelve policemen and 12 students were injured in the clashes while nine students were arrested and produced before Ratnapura Magistrate. They were released on bail , SSP Ratnapura Prishantha Jayakody said.

" A university driver, who was also responsible for the attack on the police, had not been granted bail." Jayakody.

Vice Chancellor Ven. Kamburugamuwe Vajira Thera said that the violence had been instigated by some elements against the government who wanted to disrupt the work in the university for political gain.

The police said that video footage on the protest was available with them and it would assist them in investigations.