New Method of electing VCs manipulative, says Sajith

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

The Government and the Opposition were seen engaged in an argument concerning the method followed in selecting Vice-Chancellors of Universities yesterday.  

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, who raised a question concerning the matter said the new system adopted by the present Government was manipulative.  

“The removal of the system under which the Vice-Chancellor is chosen by a vote of the governing Council of a University will lead to manipulation. The new method will help the Government to get a person of its choice elected as a Vice-Chancellor,” he said.  Minister of Education and Higher Education Professor G. L Peiris who responded said the new method was more effective.  

“A broad study on the candidates is made under the new method. Accordingly, a candidate’s personal integrity, his background, excellence in research and his skills are looked into under the new method by a committee appointed for the study,” he said.  “It is also recommended that a CEO or a Chairperson of a private sector company and a Ministry Secretary or a former Ministry Secretary has been members of these committees which are appointed by the university governing body. The suitable persons are shortlisted thereafter and a suitable person is selected to the post,” the Minister said.