J’pura u’grads demand VC’s removal

December 7, 2011, 9:54 pm, The Island


By Dasun Edirisinghe

A section of the students engaged in yesterday’s protest. Pic by Sujatha Jayaratne

Undergraduates yesterday launched another demonstration outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) demanding the immediate removal of Vice Chancellor of Sri Jayewardenepura University, Dr. N. L. A. Karunaratne.

Higher Education Secretary, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne told The Island that that the ministry would discuss the issues raised by the protesting undergraduates with the Vice Chancellor and Deans of all faculties.

Undergraduates alleged that they would continue protests as their discussions with Dr. Navaratne and other officials hadn’t been successful.

"The UGC and Higher Education Ministry didn’t give us an opportunity to meet the UGC Chairman. Whatever the Higher Education Ministry told the media, he rejected our demands," bhikkhu undergraduate Kimbullewe Chandananda thera told The Island. The monk accused VC Karunaratne of suppressing their rights. ‘We are not even allowed to have a students’ council and faculty unions, in spite of these being allowed by the University Act.

Ven Chandananda thera claimed that the university administration had so far suspended over 50 undergraduates and sealed the student union office.