Professors, lecturers and senior academic staff of the Department of Political Science at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura have lodged a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) over what they describe as a sustained administrative and professional crisis inside the department.
The complaint alleges professional harassment, obstruction of academic freedom, administrative inefficiency, and failure to implement recommendations made through internal investigations, Ada Derana reported on Monday (18) evening.
The academics said five preliminary investigations had been conducted into matters relating to the department since 2024. The investigations, they claim, confirmed administrative, professional and ethical concerns involving the current Head of the Department, and produced a series of recommendations.
After the investigation reports were submitted to the University Council on April 9, a special committee of council members was appointed to review the matter further. That committee has reportedly recommended a formal disciplinary inquiry against the current Head of Department, suspension from duties until the inquiry concludes, the appointment of an acting Head from another department, and the inclusion of the preliminary findings in a formal charge sheet.
The complainants alleged that delays in implementing the recommendations, repeated postponements and what they call misinterpretations of the committee’s findings have disrupted fair administrative procedures and harmed academic freedom, professional dignity and their right to a secure working environment.
The HRCSL has been asked to conduct an independent investigation and take appropriate action against the responsible parties.
The complaint adds a separate institutional accountability track at the same commission, which is concurrently navigating its own reaccreditation review under the Paris Principles framework with GANHRI.
