News

Academics object to state-appointed security service at universities

Faculty members of state universities are protesting over a Ministry order that campuses use the services of Defence Ministry security service, Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd. They say the Ministry of Higher Education directive contravenes university regulations. Rakna Arakshaka Lanka is a government-owned commercial security venture that comes under the Ministry of Defence.

The members say the letter from the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education bypasses standard procedures in the hiring and outsourcing of services for universities. “That process requires tenders to be called for and a suitable company be selected in a transparent and independent manner,” they said, adding that the Secretary’s instructions violate established processes and principles of governance and autonomy for academic institutions.

The Higher Education Ministry recently announced that the high costs of hiring private security companies has compelled the ministry to appoint a government-owned company to oversee campus security. Professor Gamini Samaranayaka, chairman of the University Grants Commission, maintained that the security of universities was as important as national security.

The academics say they are concerned about increasing state involvement in university matters.
“We are especially concerned about the role the military establishment is increasingly playing in the administrative and academic spheres of the universities, which are a place of free exchange of ideas, critical thinking, and innovation,” the academics said.

They were referring to a leadership training course for new university entrants conducted earlier this year at military centres.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other News Articles
Maj. Gen. Silva ready to face US court battle
Nirvana for sale: Japanese centre closed down
Municipal tax on businesses to go up
Herath confirms JVP split amid war of words
Five anxious days for Lanka at UNHRC
Shadow cast over Bandaranaike day
Race course grounds being readied for international rugby
Archaeologists object to pulling down of National Museum boundary wall
Off-screen theatrics puts Mervyn in the limelight
Leave to proceed in businessman’s FR case for alleged unlawful arrest, 28-month detention
Academics object to state-appointed security service at universities
National Policy to fight AIDS to be launched
Minister and GMOA cross swords over medical specialists’ standards
Police come down hard on drunk drivers
Man given up for dead comes alive
What ails the rails?
Karapitiya a beacon for intensive paedriatric care
Gopallawa left out as portraits of ex-presidents and PMs are unveiled
Mount Lavinia hotel car park turns into doggy mobile clinic
UNP backs call for Palestinian state
Lack of essential drugs killing people: Vasu
First-ever Indo-Lanka naval exercise a success despite T’Nadu protest
Handicapped student excels at Grade 5 Exam
Fresh charges against CPC over tender manipulations
Galle: Candidates, constituents polls apart on the common good
Opposition cries foul as Govt. steals the show with State resources
Sinharaja bird wave – On the wings of a wildlife spectacle
Colombo is Colombo

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 1996 - 2011 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved | Site best viewed in IE ver 8.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution