The Joint Front to Protect Open University

The JFPOU (the Joint Front to Protect Open University) would like to state with pride that its historic struggle to reverse the arbitrary decision of the President to reject the legitimate shortlist for the Vice Chancellor position of the Open University of Sri Lanka has been realized. We see this as a victory not just for the Open University of Sri Lanka but for the entire university system in the country. At a time when we are witnessing increasing political and executive interference at all levels in public institutions from the health sector to the education sector – leading to their mismanagement and breakdown – the victory of this historic struggle marks an important moment in which the autonomy of a vital institution of higher education has been protected.

We would like to note that this victory was the outcome of the solidarity of a broad range of stakeholders – academics, non-academics and students. We held press conferences, wrote to newspapers, held a protest campaign and the Senate of the university took a historic decision to withdraw from the re-selection process after the original shortlist was rejected. However, this victory should also remind us that many challenges lie ahead. We as stakeholders of the university and groups that believe in the autonomy and independence of public institutions need to stay constantly vigilant to the ever present threat of political interference in this country.

While we celebrate this victory we would also like to note that President has appointed the candidate placed number three in the shortlist and overlooked the candidate who earned the highest marks. The relevant provision in the 1978 Universities Act, while giving the freedom to the President to appoint a suitable name from the shortlist of three names nominated by the Council of the university through the University Grants Commission (UGC), also states that the UGC should send its ‘recommendation’ to the President. Throughout many decades of tradition in the university system this ‘recommendation’ has generally meant the candidate who earned the highest marks or votes. But in this instance this tradition has been violated. Therefore, we believe that as an urgent priority the Universities Act needs to be amended. The President has no role to play in the selection of a Vice Chancellor. Since the candidates are selected following a long and rigorous process, the candidate who receives the highest votes or marks should be the natural choice – if not the entire process is undermined and the door is left open to politicization of the appointment. Therefore, we call upon all parties committed to principles of autonomy in public institutions to lobby the relevant authorities to amend the Universities Act and remove the ability of the President/Executive branch of government to unnecessarily intervene and politicize Vice Chancellor appointments. We conclude with solidarity and gratitude towards all stakeholders who came together in this historic struggle.

Prof. Anton Piyarathne                 S. Premarathne                            S.A. Harsha Madushanka

President/ Open University           President/ Non-Academic,          President/ Open University

Teacher’s Association – OUTA   Trade Union Federation-OUSL  Students’ Union-OUSL