Dons told not to fall prey to NGO agenda

October 17, 2012, 10:10 pm

by Dasun Edirisinghe, the island

The Patriotic University Teachers’ Alliance called upon academics not to fall prey to the agendas of several NGO-type university lecturers canvassing for the Oct. 18 Hyde Park rally of Gen. Sarath Fonseka.

Convener of the PUTA senior lecturer Nemsiri Jayathilake said that there were two groups of university dons in the recently suspended trade union action. There was a group of lecturers who were with the NGO clique during the war in support of the Tigers’ cause.

Their demand was to take the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) struggle to international level so that the countries which funded their NGOs to intervene in country’s internal matters, could capitalise on the problem, he said adding that this attempt was defeated and now they have ganged up to take to the stage with Gen. Fonseka on Oct. 18 at Hyde Park.

"Recently we saw FUTA spokesman Dr. Mahim Mendis calling upon academics to support Fonseka’s cause. We request academics not to join them against the motherland," he said.

Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake said that some university teachers who participated in the 100-day FUTA strike did so with a political agenda in mind.

When the government claimed that a political agenda was behind the FUTA strike, they vehemently denied it but now it has been proved by its spokesman’s invitation to join Sarath Fonseka’s rally, he said.

However, FUTA denied the claim.

FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri said that it was personal views of Dr. Mahim Mendis.

"Anyone has freedom to express their views," he said adding it was absolutely not the views of the FUTA.

FUTA unhappy with plan to begin leadership training on Nov. 15

October 17, 2012, 10:19 pm , the island

by Dasun Edirisinghe

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) is unhappy with the Higher Education Ministry’s decision to commence the leadership training programme, for university freshers, on Nov. 15 without consulting the faculty boards and the university senates.

FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri told The Island that according to the assurance given by the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa for them to end the recent strike, the higher education authorities would consult the university senates and faculty boards before commencing the next leadership training programme.

"The Higher Education Ministry has still not consulted the relevant university boards, but has decided on the date to commence the leadership training programme," he said.

The senior academic said that it was a violation of the agreement.

Dr. Dewasiri said that they would discuss it with the Higher Education Ministry in the next few days.

The higher education ministry has planned to start the leadership training programme on Nov. 15 in three batches. The Ministry will accommodate 9,000 students in each batch to be trained at the tri-forces and police establishments.

According to ministry sources, it had decided to obtain the opinion of the Attorney General’s Department prior to embarking on the latest exercise to avoid any future problems over the training programme.

When contacted by The Island for comments, Secretary to the Higher Education Ministry Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne said the ministry was still planning the programme.

"We expect to have a discussion on the programme and later we would consult faculty boards and senates," Dr. Navaratne said.

UGC to discuss  cancellation of circulars

October 17, 2012, 10:18 pm

by Dasun Edirisinghe, the island

The University Grants Commission (UGC) would today (18) hold discussion on some of the earlier issued circulars, which Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa had promised the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) would be cancelled.

UGC Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake told The Island that the commission would meet today at the UGC boardroom to discuss the issue

Commenting on FUTA’s claim that although the secretary to the higher education ministry had sent a letter asking the UGC to cancel those circulars, the UGC was still delaying to do so, he said that he received the secretary’s letter regarding only on Tuesday evening.

"We cannot withdraw the circulars over night," Prof. Samaranayake said adding that it would have to go through the due process.

The UGC issued some circulars according to the government’s requirements, he said adding that those would be widely discussed.

The senior professor said that university academics must be considered on accountability not only the autonomy as they are paid from public funds.

Salaries for the last three months of university teachers would be paid by the relevant universities and it is not handled by the UGC, Prof. Samaranayake said.

FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri said that some universities, including the Colombo University, had paid only a Rs. 100,000 as a salary advance.

However, the full amount for last three months would be paid at the end of this month with the October salary, he said.

Dr. Dewasiri said that only the Sri Jayewardenepura University paid the salaries for last three months in full.

University teachers launched the strike on July 04 and it was ended on the assurance of Minister Rajapaksa on Oct. 11.