A controversial move affecting university appointments has drawn sharp legal objections, with rights groups warning that academic independence is under serious threat.
A press release issued by the Free Lawyers organization has raised strong objections to recent decisions affecting Sri Lanka’s university system, warning that the politicization of senior academic appointments poses a grave danger to academic freedom and institutional independence.
Press Release
Politicization of university deans and department heads is a dangerous threat
The University Grants Commission has announced the suspension of the appointment of deans and heads of academic departments in universities with immediate effect. The non-implementation of provisions established by the University Grants Commission Act No. 16 of 1978, which is a constitutional law of this country, is illegal and unconstitutional. This decision seriously prejudices the functioning of the independent university system established in accordance with the powers granted to University Governing Councils.
The Government is taking steps to amend the qualifications for appointment as Deans under Section 49(1) of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, as amended by the Universities Act No. 17 of 2016, and the qualifications for appointment as Heads of Academic Divisions under Section 51(1) of the Act.
This amendment, proposed by the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Ms. Harini Amarasuriya, severely restricts the academic freedom of universities. The entire university system is undergoing shameful politicization and is losing its independence.
This will allow the University Grants Commission to remove Deans and Heads of Departments at its discretion. In the recent past, similar political manoeuvres were carried out to remove Vice Chancellors. It will allow politically favoured individuals to be appointed to every important position in university education based on political expediency, regardless of seniority or administrative experience.
This violates the freedom granted to the university system by the Universities Act No. 17 of 2016 and gives the Ministry of Education the opportunity to exercise puppet rule based on political expediency.
The Free Lawyers organization calls on all parties who respect the right to free education to join hands to defeat these new amendments that destroy freedom of speech and university independence.
President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne
Attorney Athula de Silva
On behalf of the Free Lawyers Executive Council
The statement underscores growing concern among legal and academic circles that recent policy changes could weaken safeguards protecting Sri Lanka’s higher education system, with long-term consequences for governance, merit-based appointments, and the autonomy of universities.
