The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to remove Professor Sunil Shantha from his post as Vice Chancellor of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, in the first publicly disclosed dismissal of a sitting state university vice chancellor under the NPP government.
UGC Chairman Senior Professor Kapila Seneviratne told Ada Derana that a new administrative programme is expected to be implemented for the university’s future operations. The reason for the removal has not been officially disclosed.
Contacted by Ada Derana, Professor Sunil Shantha said he had not received any notification of his removal from the post.
Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, headquartered in Belihuloya, is one of the country’s 17 national universities. Vice chancellors at state universities are appointed and removed by the UGC under the Universities Act, on recommendations of the council of the relevant university.
The dismissal comes the same day Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr Harini Amarasuriya warned of a gradual decline in the number of Sri Lankan students entering higher education, placing fresh political focus on state university governance.
Source: Ada Derana — UGC removes Sabaragamuwa University Vice Chancellor from post.
