The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva

¶ 01 Thank you, Sir. With two-and-a-half minutes, I will reiterate FUTA’s points to the Hon. Prime Minister:

¶ 02 - Election of Deans: include prior administrative experience as an eligibility criterion. - Clarify that “two terms” means two consecutive three-year terms. - Removal of Deans and Heads: specify valid grounds—misconduct, incapacity, inefficiency, or loss of confidence by the Faculty Board—and ensure due process: written charges, right to be heard, and appeal to an independent body. - Cross-department appointments: require mandatory consultation with the relevant department before making such appointments.

¶ 03 The objective is to maintain university autonomy, avoid politicized appointments, and ensure internal democratic rights. You were once a Head of Department—by rotation, yes—but you got that opportunity because colleagues trusted you. That principle should remain.

¶ 04 And, Madam Prime Minister, you did very well in Davos representing the country.

¶ 05 Thank you.