The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I will set out the facts clearly. There was no false information in my answer to Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara. There is a history. The process began during the change of government. On 12 September 2024, the UGC submitted three names to the former President with their average marks and, on 24 September 2024, submitted observations highlighting issues:

¶ 02 “2. There was a significant discrepancy in the marks given to applicants by several Council members.

¶ 03 3. Three candidates who participated in the interview from the same University and other institutions complained to the UGC on 26 August 2024 of alleged fraudulent manipulation by the Council of the RUSL in the evaluation process of the position of the Vice Chancellor.”

¶ 04 I table these documents.

¶ 05 Subsequently, a new UGC Chair and Commission took office. Based on the discrepancies and complaints, the UGC, at its Minutes of 20 November 2024, decided not to recommend any of the names to the President and to forward all documents and reasons. I table these as well.

¶ 06 Accordingly, on 30 December 2024, the Secretary to the President wrote that, as per the UGC Chair’s letter of 04 December 2024, the UGC had not recommended any of the Council’s names; hence, requirements under Section 34(1)(a) of the Universities Act were unfulfilled. Therefore, the President’s Secretary requested the process be reinitiated. On 06 January 2025, the UGC Secretary informed Rajarata University to recall and restart the process — the letter Hon. Member tabled.

¶ 07 From September onwards, both the previous and current UGC identified discrepancies. The UGC twice, in writing, stated it could not recommend any applicant due to such discrepancies, and informed the President. On that basis, the President’s Secretary directed re-advertising. Thus, I did not present any falsehood; my answer was founded on the record.

¶ 08 Our Government will present information to Parliament responsibly, based on proper procedures and facts, without shielding anyone. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.