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

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, this is the response to the question raised by Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna on 07.08.2025 under Standing Order 27(2).

¶ 02 1. The Committee appointed regarding Gampaha Wickramarachchi University presented two main options: - Maintain the current programmes by affiliating them to other suitable universities, or, if not, place current students into equivalent programmes in other universities. - Continue the university as is, providing necessary resources and facilities, and conduct existing programmes properly and with quality.

¶ 03 Discussions are ongoing with stakeholders to choose the most appropriate option, and some time is needed. The Government’s expectation is to ensure no student is treated unfairly, and to provide solutions before the first cohort graduates.

¶ 04 Whatever option is implemented, the Committee decided not to change the specializations of the current programmes. If a programme exists only in this university, a more suitable specialization will be arranged in consultation with stakeholders.

¶ 05 Each programme will adopt the most appropriate solution. As this involves curriculum reviews and stakeholder consultations, it will take some time.

¶ 06 For the Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology, discussions were held on 25.07.2025 to amend appropriately the BSc (Hons) in Indigenous Medicinal Resources and BHSc (Hons) in Indigenous Pharmaceutical Technology. The Committee instructed that similar discussions be held for other programmes.

¶ 07 We will identify employers for possible employment opportunities for graduates. Where there are problematic programmes, curricula will be amended to create employability, or students will be placed in programmes with assured employment opportunities.

¶ 08 To resolve infrastructure issues, the University is arranging to relocate the Nugegoda-based faculty to a premises with adequate space near the main Gampaha campus, and to move some departments of the Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology to other nearby locations. Final decisions will align with the options outlined above.

¶ 09 Admissions to the Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology, the Faculty of Indigenous Social Sciences and Management, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies have been temporarily suspended as per UGC instructions.

¶ 10 9. The UGC will conduct the necessary inquiries in due course.

¶ 11 10. Law will be enforced concurrently with the inquiries referred to in point 9.

¶ 12 Thank you.