Protest against 'politicisation' of University posts

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 27 April 1999, 22:09 GMT]
Senior executives in Sri Lanka's universities will file action in the Supreme court tomorrow against a law which they allege would politicise all appointments to their ranks.

The Senior University Executive's Association held a press conference at 'College House' in the University of Colombo today to explain their action against the amendment made on April 21 to the University Act.no.16 of 1978 by the Ministry of Higher Education.

A spokesperson for the association said that the amendement made by the PA regime was specifically aimed at making political appointments that could strengthen its hold and influence in the universities.

They said that the association will stage a token strike to protest against this as well as salary anomalies etc,. If their demands are not met they will go on strike from May 10, said the Associations spokesperson.

Registrars, Assistant registrars and senior assistant registrars of the universities are categorised as Senior Executives.

Sources said that senior academic staff of Sri Lankan universities are also contemplating legal action against attempts by the PA regime to politicise the administration of the institutions of higher learning.

Under recent amendments made by the PA to the University Act, the government can appoint one of its own MPs as well as an opposition MP to the governing body of a university.

Academics say that this move would pave the way for politicising and ruining the system of higher education in Sri Lanka.