The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, I move, “That the Bill be now read a Second time.”

¶ 02 Today’s Universities (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend several provisions that are important for good governance within the university system. At present, Heads of Departments are appointed by Vice Chancellors without a clearly prescribed procedure, which has led to reported issues—appointments based on personal preference and resultant problems. This Amendment introduces a clear process for appointing Heads of Departments based on seniority from Professor down to Senior Lecturer Grade I/II. It will curtail arbitrary discretion and ensure a seniority-based, transparent process. Further, it limits terms—no indefinite reappointments—addressing long-standing concerns that prolonged tenures blocked opportunities for younger academics to contribute fresh ideas.

¶ 03 Currently, a Vice Chancellor can remove a Head of Department. Under the Amendment, removal will be by the University Council upon the Vice Chancellor’s recommendation, following proper procedure and inquiry. The University Grants Commission (UGC) will be empowered to set out the precise procedural framework that Councils must follow.

¶ 04 Another key reform concerns Deanships. Presently, only serving Heads of Departments of the Faculty are eligible, which can consolidate a Vice Chancellor’s influence through aligned HoDs. The Amendment broadens eligibility: all academic staff from Professor to Senior Lecturer Grade I within the Faculty may contest for Dean. This widens, democratizes, and depoliticizes leadership within faculties.

¶ 05 These changes have been discussed in the system for years. For instance, after the 2012 FUTA action, a workshop at the University of Colombo examined measures to enhance governance; ideas from such consultations inform this Bill. The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA), representing a majority of academic staff, has written on 21 January 2026:

¶ 06 “The proposed amendments introduce several progressive features, including the broadening of eligibility criteria for appointment to the post of Dean of Faculty by removing the requirement of being a sitting Head of Department, the introduction of term limits for Deans and Heads of Departments (HoDs), and the facilitation of cross-disciplinary appointments. These measures clearly indicate the general intention of the amendments, and FUTA welcomes these positive directions.”

¶ 07 I emphasize: “FUTA welcomes these positive directions.” They also state they are prepared to consent subject to incorporating key safeguards. The concern raised is that, since Deans are elected by Faculty Boards, removal by Councils without the Faculty’s majority will challenge academic primacy. Therefore, when amending, UGC should be empowered to lay down due process—e.g., convening a special Faculty meeting upon a majority request, requiring a two-thirds vote, and forwarding recommendations to the Council.

¶ 08 On HoD appointments by seniority, where multiple candidates share the same grade, primacy can be determined by date of promotion; if same date, consider academic merit, research, teaching, and service within the period.

¶ 09 These reforms will broaden opportunities and deepen democracy in the university system. Positive feedback has come from many in academia. For example, Senior Lecturer Sampath Rajapakshe of the University of Kelaniya noted on Facebook that term limits are decisive reforms preventing personalization of leadership, ensuring fresh ideas, priorities and accountability, and ending the “Dean for life” syndrome; institutions must never become anyone’s property; and the reform signals broader higher education reform—recognizing that democratic citizens cannot be produced by undemocratic institutions.

¶ 10 We also received letters from a senior monk-professor at the Pali and Buddhist Studies Department, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, requesting that seniority be respected to allow all eligible to serve as Head of Department—precisely what this Bill provides.

¶ 11 Further, the Human Rights Commission, in a case regarding the appointment of Head of the Department of International Studies at the University of Kelaniya, found that disregarding seniority caused unfair treatment. An inquiry led by a retired Supreme Court Justice into an appointment at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (Department of Food Science and Technology), concluded:

¶ 12 “The Vice Chancellor is empowered only to nominate a candidate for the post of Head of the Department. However, the final appointment must be fully approved by the University Council. In this instance, no such nomination was tabled for the Council’s consideration or approval during the Council’s meeting held in August, 2025. This omission is a serious breach of governance, protocols and a danger to the due process.”

¶ 13 It further noted that the appointed individual had a documented history of misconduct, including being found guilty on 10 out of 11 charges relating to examination offences. Discretion without checks has undermined governance; hence the need for these amendments.

¶ 14 Some may ask: after 46 years, why amend only these provisions? Because these are essential changes requested by the system. Broader higher education reforms are underway; we aim to comprehensively revise the Universities Act following dialogue with stakeholders and the public, to strengthen governance across the sector. I commend the Bill.