Take A Stand For Justice At Jaffna Uni And Everywhere In Sri Lanka
By Arulkumaran Subajini -January 26, 2015
Arulkumaran Subajini
University of Jaffna is full of wrongdoings. Every appointment from the VC’s down to that of Labourer is based on political loyalty rather than excellence. The most senior persons from whom we expect leadership have no backbone. The Council – both internal and external members – simply sit back and endorse these improper appointments. As an Acting Dean awaiting regular appointment confessed to a friend, “I need to go along with the VC in everything to survive.”
I was wrongfully denied an appointment as Computer Applications Assistant. Many friends have advised me not to complain and suggest that my husband Mahalingam Arulkumaran who works as a Technical Officer under the Vice Chancellor will pay dearly if I pursue a complaint. As they put it to me, if the Deans who are wise and highly qualified people comply, why wreck my husband’s future just to tell my story when it is unlikely that anything will be done.
Rajiva Wijesinha – Minister Higher Education
I respectfully disagree. It is that attitude that brought the university to its knees. Come what may, I would like to set an example to our so called elders of the Tamil community. I urge everyone to whom injustice has been done to come forward. After all, the whole country has come forward with one voice to call for a new Sri Lanka where justice and fairness prevail and all are equal.
Victimization and denial of justice become impossible when we stand shoulder to shoulder. As an example I am giving below the letter I sent out to our new President asking for justice.
39(59) Annasathra Lane
Kantharmadam
Jaffna.
Jan. 23, 2015
His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena
President
Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka.
You Excellency,
Political Victimization through University Appointments against Regulations in Jaffna
University Crisis
By Godwin Constantine -January 28, 2015
Dr Godwin Constantine
The present crisis in the university system due to politicization of the universities has attracted attention of the general public in the recent times. This issue has been highlighted in the new government’s 100-day programme. Though it is said that the politicization of the university system started during JR Jayewardene’s tenure it was perfected during the tenure of the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.
It is indeed commendable that the new government has appointed a suitably qualified person as the State Minister of Higher Education. However, the Ministers’ stance to maintain status quo by continuing with the political appointees is disheartening.
Rajiva Wijesinha – Minister Higher Education
The present controversies surround the vice chancellors of universities of Colombo, Jaffan and Baticoloa and the Chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC) who are political appointees of the state through the powers wrested on the head of state by the Universities Act of 1978.
There are numerous glaring examples of abuse of power by the political appointees in these institutions. The mounting pressure to remove the political appointees from the position of power is understandably done with the hope that the new government with an objective to introduce good governance would act swiftly to restore the dignity of the universities.
During the past 10 years we have witnessed extensive politicization of the universities in this country. The high authorities in the university system (regrettably who are academics) have stooped to the level of issuing political statements and involve in political campaign of party in power using their position as heads of institutions.Read More
