The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I ask whether these regulations—said to bring a great transformation in universities—truly reflect the promised “system change.” Through Sections 49 and 51 you alter Dean and HoD appointments, but why not touch the process of appointing Vice Chancellors? Why not touch the appointment of the UGC Chairman and members? Why not touch the process of appointing University Council members and Institute Boards? Without reforming those, claiming “democratization” of Dean/HoD appointments is in fact a retreat from democracy.

¶ 02 I table a report: “University Governance, Autonomy and Accountability: Directions for Change,” a workshop report co-authored by the present Prime Minister, Hon. Harini Amarasuriya. What does it say? Back then, FUTA and Dr. Harini argued for depoliticization from the VC appointment stage onwards, and to increase education spending to 6% of GDP. In 2015 they said everything should be depoliticized and based on merit. In 2026, as Prime Minister and Higher Education Minister, how has she changed these positions? Is this your system change?

¶ 03 Today, institutional autonomy is being rolled back. UGC, in a highly centralized manner, is acting autocratically. Before this Bill is even passed, the UGC Chairman has written to Vice Chancellors instructing them to halt ongoing appointments of Deans and HoDs because a new law is coming. That is to tell them not to implement the current law—an unconstitutional and unlawful directive, ridiculing existing statutes. Can a UGC Chairman write to VCs instructing them to stop applying the current law pending new law? Is this your system change?

¶ 04 I urge all who speak on this Bill to read the report authored then by Hon. Harini Amarasuriya and others. The proposals they made then have been thrown into the dustbin. Democratic freedom and academic freedom are being stripped, paving a path to authoritarianism. Just as party headquarters send lists for appointments to defence committees or youth bodies, now attempts are being made to turn the university system towards centralized control. I express my deep regret.

¶ 05 Thank you.