Thursday, January 29, 2015

Colombo Uni Senate votes for ouster of VC

 


By Dasun Edirisinghe

The Colombo University Senate unanimously had decided yesterday that its present Vice Chancellor Dr. Kumara Hirimburegama was not suitable for the post, university sources said.

They said the Colombo University Arts Faculty Teachers’ Association (AFTA) and Colombo University Federation of Teachers’ Associations (CUFTA), who earlier demanded the resignation of the VC, had moved the matter at the Senate meeting with the consent of majority of members.

Teachers of the Colombo University protested opposite the Vice Chancellor’s office on Jan. 22 demanding VC’s resignation. They tried to enter the VC’s office at College House, but were blocked by university security officials and the police. However, the protesting dons led by the CUFTA and the AFTA managed to force their way into the VC’s office and handed over a letter with several demands.

At the start of the Senate meeting yesterday chaired by VC Dr. Hirimburegama, some members wanted to discuss the letter that CUFTA and AFTA handed over on Jan. 22.

The Senate members asked the consent of majority to discuss the letter after Dr. Hirimburegama refused to discuss it as it was not on the agenda of the meeting and walked out. Thereafter the meeting continued with Law Faculty Dean Thamil Maran chairing it

Finally, the letter was discussed and unanimously endorsed by the Senate, the supreme academic body of the university.

When contacted for comment, CUFTA President Dr. Dewaka Weerakoon said that they would take forward their demand with yesterday’s decision by the Senate.

Dr. Hirimburegama was not available for comment.

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