Former VCs deny supporting striking Dons

Former Vice Chancellors of Sri Lankan universities denied that they pledged support to striking university lecturers as reported in certain media, states a Government Information Department press release.

Prof Dayantha Wijesekera in a statement said the report under the headline 'Former VCs pledge support to striking dons' appearing in some sections of the media is incorrect and misleading.

"The former Vice Chancellors Prof. Lakshman Jayatilleke, Prof. Dayantha Wijesekera, Prof. Ranjith Attanayake, Prof. W.D. Lakshman, Prof. Narada Warnasuriya and Prof. Jayantha Wijeratne recently held a discussion with FUTA which was represented by its President Dr. Nirmal Dewasiri and three other officials.

"Prof. Dayantha Wijesekera said at the very outset, the former Vice Chancellors indicated that the purpose of their discussion with FUTA was to find out whether and how they could assist to resolve the current university crisis which adversely affects the entire education sector in the country.

"In this discussion the former VCs highlighted the importance of parties concerned refraining from making unsubstantiated allegations against each other. The former VCs also indicated that every possible effort should be made to get the stalled negotiations with the government resumed. In this instance the former VCs offered to intervene as a neutral party to initiate re-commencement of the negotiations with the government.

"Further, it was also the opinion of all parties present that there should be a greater academic administrative and financial autonomy given to the universities and where necessary amendments to the University Act should be enacted".