Lecturers to boycott Peradeniya Convocation

May 13, 2013, 10:22 pm


by Dasun Edirisinghe, the island

Peradeniya academics have decided to boycott their university’s annual convocation in protest against the participation of Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake as the chief guest and the appointment of a deputy vice Chancellor on the basis of his political allegiance.

A spokesman for the Federation of Peradeniya University Teachers’ Associations (FPUTA), speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the university administration had not yet announced that Minister Dissanayake would be the chief guest, but security and other VIP arrangements were being put in place.

"The Peradeniya University traditionally does not invite politicians to participate in its annual convocations," he said.

The next Convocation is scheduled to be held on May 30 with the participation of 3,200 students from eight faculties.

FPUTA President Dr. Madhawa Meegaskumbura said that their intention was not to sabotage the most memorable event in the lives of undergraduates, but the FPUTA had been constrained to take such a decision as the university administration had not heeded their protests against the manner in which the Deputy Vice Chancellor had been appointed.

He said that as a mark of protest they had already vacated the volunteer posts they held, but neither the university administration nor the higher education ministry had given them a chance to discuss and resolve the matter.

"There are nearly 1,400 lecturers in the university," Dr. Meegaskumbura said, adding that of them nearly 1,000 lecturers, who are on the permanent cadre would not attend the Convocation.