A Case of Blatant Abuse in thenra University of Jaffna
( May 25, 2018, Jaffna, Sri Lanka Guardian) We give, below, a case of blatant abuse in recruitment to the Department of Financial Management, Jaffna (see two attachments). The case given here is that of Mithila Gowthaman, who is outstanding by any objective measure. Those in authority seem determined to go to extraordinary lengths to keep her out.
Reconstruction and renewal of institutions in the war-torn North was a major theme that was on the lips of those who wanted it to regain some of its old glory in education. The University of Jaffna was isolated during the war and a few individuals had a free hand in awarding academic positions to their favourites, irrespective of merit. It was a major threat to the integrity of the University. Without a functioning university worth its name, the North was condemned to remain an intellectual desert.
In a bid to check this, the Jaffna University Science Teachers’ Association compiled cases of many abuses with evidence drawn largely from Council Minutes. As mentioned in the Appeal, the compiled volume was given to the Council, to the present and former UGC Chairmen and at least two ministers in charge of Higher Education. This effort was snubbed.
One of the faculties where abuse abounded was the Faculty of Management, which presently has the case of Ravivathani dragging on in the Supreme Court.
The fact that these abuses are allowed to continue with impunity is a measure of the step-motherly treatment the University of Jaffna receives from the authorities in Colombo as well as from our own Parliamentary representatives. It shows that they are comfortable with the rot that has been allowed to set in, which acts as a foolproof precedent to those determined to abuse authority.
Please take up this matter with any of your contacts who could have a benign impact on the state of the University.
Attached also is the letter from the Head of Department, whose courage in her decision to stand up speaks for itself.
