The rejection of all three names submitted by the academics of the University of Rajarata, and the involvement of Prime Minister and Minister of Education Harini Amarasuriya, has been seen as a serious violation of protocol in making academic appointments.
Previously, when the appointment of a Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Open University was made, bypassing the three names nominated by the university academics, then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed someone else to the position. At that time, the political project opposing this decision was led by Harini Amarasuriya, who was a member of the Malimawa party and held three ministerial positions. She strongly protested the decision in parliament and initiated a progressive political movement for the independence of the university system. However, the President’s executive decision overturned this initiative.
In an unexpected turn, Minister of Education and Higher Education, Harini Amarasuriya, allegedly played a role in paving the way for an irregular appointment, giving leadership to an academic institution. Meanwhile, three university academics from Rajarata University, along with a student from the university, are currently in parliament.
Rajarata Academics
Vice-Chancellors proposed by their fellow academics must undergo an evaluation process guided by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Based on the evaluation, the final results are presented to the UGC for approval, and the names are forwarded to the President for the final selection.
Following this process, three professors were nominated: Professor G.A.S. Ginigaddara from the Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. P.S.K. Rajapaksha from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Professor Percy Wijewardene from the Faculty of Management Studies. These applications were called for because the term of the previous Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor G.A.S. Ginigaddara, was due to end on December 12, 2024.
UGC’s Action
However, instead of appointing one of the three nominated candidates, on December 13, the University Grants Commission appointed the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine as the working Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Rajarata University. Two weeks later, despite the council’s tenure being set for another year, the governing council was dissolved, and a new group of members was appointed. Subsequently, the names of the three nominated candidates for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor role were invalidated, and a directive was given to submit new nominations.
One reason for this decision by the government was the objection raised by the Rajarata University Academic Staff Association regarding the appointment. Internal sources within Rajarata University suggest that the influence of a politician, who had once been a professor at the university, played a role in disrupting the accepted independent selection process.
Although the Rajarata University Governing Council was side-lined, the evaluation process is still conducted under the independent supervision of the University Grants Commission. The academic who oversaw the evaluation had previously held the Deputy Vice-Chancellor position at another university, which adds credibility to the process. Furthermore, the Rajarata University Governing Council member who represented Peradeniya University was an established professor with a record of excellence.
An important factor to note is that the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor G.A.S. Ginigaddara, who ranked fifth in the Sri Lankan academic rankings, was one of the nominees. Her distinguished record made her a prominent candidate.
