Fresh evidence has surfaced against Minister of Higher Education Lakshman Kiriella over yet another order made by him to the Rajarata University in January this year which contravenes the fair recruitment policy pledged by the Yahapalana government.
In a letter dated January 12, 2016 Kiriella ordered the university to employ S. A. Nirosha Nayanangani Subasinghe as a labourer who was shortlisted for the position.
“During the interview, if she had the relevant other qualifications required for the post, employ her regardless of her age,” the letter signed by Kiriella stated.
An activist highlighted that it appeared the government is going against its initial pledge of following a fair recruitment policy. “They promised a fair recruitment policy at the elections, but they are not following it,” Civil Society activist Dharanee Ranaraja told Colombo Telegraph.
In his election manifesto, President Maithripala Sirisena said that autonomy will be granted to Universities and University Senates and they will be given the power to appoint and remove Vice Chancellors according to their policies.
Kiriella who is embroiled in a controversy for using his political influence to make a university appointment has justified his attempts claiming that in accordance to article 19 of the university act, the minister had the authority to make recommendations to university positions.
Yesterday, a journalist came under abuse when he contacted the minister to verify the authenticity of the letter reportedly sent by Kiriella to the head of the political science department of the Kelaniya University. Kiriella, who abused the journalist from the ‘Ada’ newspaper demanded the journalist to first read the University Act, where according to Kiriella he has the power to make such appointments.
Article 19 of the Universities Act says; “The Minister shall be responsible for the general direction of university education and the administration of this Act.” While Article 20 (1) (a) says; “The Minister may from time to time issue to the Commission such general written directions as he may deem necessary in pursuance of national policy in matters such as finance, university places and medium of instruction, to enable him to discharge effectively, his responsibility for university education and the administration of this Act. Every such direction shall as soon as possible be tabled in Parliament.”
“How can we interpret these interference to the fair recruitment policy under the article 19 of the Universities Act? Did the minister table these letters in Parliament?,” Dharanee Ranaraja questioned.
The activist noted that it seems that either Kiriella does not understand the University Act, or was knowingly flouting the guidelines by appointing his supporters to the University Governing Councils, as temporary lecturers and also as labourers. “We still don’t know what else he has done interpreting the article 19 of the Universities Act” she said.
prem / March 2, 2016
Kiriella should resign. If the PM is rational if MS remembers his pledges both should insist that Kiriella should resign. University dons did a lot to throw MR and gang out, PM and MS are duty to ensure autonomy of the universities. If minister can say he is empowered to do anything he wants that is a sing that he should be thrown out of politics altogether. If Kiriella doesnot resign this will be the start of the downfall of the so called ‘yahapalanaya’. MR is better, I have started to realise
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bsam / March 2, 2016
Dream on !!!
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Amarasiri / March 2, 2016
prem
“Kiriella should resign”
He won’t.
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shankar / March 2, 2016
prem
how can maithri take action against this bugger when he himself appoints his brother as chairman telecom.So arjuna also appointed his brother as his deputy.Tat is why the rot always starts at the top and culture permeates downwards from up above.I know this in the business sector.You will know how a company will perform from the standards imposed and maintained by the chief executive on himself.Since independence the country went to the dogs because those who took over did not maintain the standards that we had pre independence when we were known as the pearl of the indian ocean.Now they can holler that they are the sinhala bhuddhists of the indian ocean.
When the british left they had trained certain people to take over and run the country.Unfortunately they were mostly christians and then the coup was used as an excuse to get rid of all of them into the trash bin by the bhuddhists.
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Dankottuwa Manike / March 3, 2016
prem
If the new government follows the path of the rotten previous government, then I will go against it and campaign vociferously.
Kiriella and Pattali (on the serious accident) do not accept their guilt and allow the just and due process to follow, I will start to campaign against this government.
This poison and must be dealt with immediately without allowing it to fester like a virus that can be dealt with an anti-dose in the mass voting.
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Amarasiri / March 3, 2016
RE: Kiriella Continues To Contravene University Recruitment Policy
Buruella Continues To Contravene University Recruitment Policy, because he cannot differentiate between his tail and his head.
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BBS Rep / March 2, 2016
“The activist noted that it seems that either Kiriella does not understand the University Act, or was knowingly flouting the guidelines by appointing his supporters to the University Governing Councils, as temporary lecturers and also as labourers. “We still don’t know what else he has done interpreting the article 19 of the Universities Act” she said.”
Kiriella understands the University Act. He also knows he is knowingly flouting the guidelines.
What are we jumping up and down for. This is how Sri Lankan politicians go about doing their business since we gained independence. No exceptions whatsoever.
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Vibhushana / March 2, 2016
There should be a corruption charge against Kiriella.
The guy once signed over 50 acre public property to his wife.
I think he paid something ridiculous like Rs 50 for the entire land.
Someone should dig that up and hand it to the bribery commission.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 3, 2016
He is the better of a rather bad lot we have in parliament. Whom do you think is better than him?
‘
We should be happy he is learning some lessons and through him the others in our parliament are learning.
The media should be thanked for this expose. However, I think it was wrong for the journalist to have clandestinely recorded the conversation. Is it right in law?
Eternal vigilance is the only tool to keep the Yahapalanaya on the narrow and straight path, as promised.
Dr.RN
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K.A Sumanasekera / March 2, 2016
I am with Kirra on this one.
Good on you mate, Pull the strings and give the jobs to Dalits who need them most.
You should also seriously think of giving a gig to Poorten as a Senator or a Senior on the Kelaniya Uni Board..
Little Red Elephants who come out from Kelaniya now, need a bit of grooming after the Big Red one took that Santhosam from Batalanda Ranil.and joined the Elite.
Poorten can establish an English Department to teach them basic spoken English and Elite etiquette using accelerated training programs which Poorty can source from Toronto.
I believe they have really good ones which were really helpful to assimilate the LTTE Cadres with the Canadians.
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Upali Weerasinghe / March 2, 2016
Any one can write to anyone requesting assistance for themselves children relatives Etc. Minister Kiriella too has that right. For instance I can write to the President requesting him to give a job to my son. Should we deprive Ministers that right. To understand this one should visit an MP early in the morning to see scores of people waiting to see MPs. You will also see the MPs telephoning officials or the readily available secretaries typing letters requesting help/ assistance for their supporters. This is our culture.In all probability Minister Kiriella would not have read this letter before signing as so many letters are signed daily.
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Villageman / March 2, 2016
you can write to president for help, but president should not write to you asking favours out of the way.
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shankar / March 2, 2016
upali
heads-you are a idiot.tails-you are a born idiot.tossing the coin now.
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Chris / March 2, 2016
Hope the President and the PM will take action against this minister.If not I tell you this is the beginning of the downfall of this govt.I think it has already started n will not last five years.
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academic / March 2, 2016
Few are aware that all non-academic posts such as labourer, clerk, technicians etc. are all filled by the list sent to the Universities by the Minister of Higher education. It happened with earlier ministers too. Universities have no autonomy to even appoint a labourer. Much better quality support staff can be recruited if the universities are given the freedom to advertise vacancies, interview the applicants and select the best. No wonder our Universities are rotting.
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Surawimala / March 3, 2016
I dont think that we need to repeat all the high profile abuses carried out by MR regime by his direct mediation – but it will take its time if we seek for tangible changes in the system. In a country, favourization is almost entwined with the life style- a minister to have issued a letter to his known candidate to get the support must not be critised going as if we are a sober nation – we are all clean – we behave like Europeans. Regardless of the educational background, people of the country always seek the support to get even tiny things done. They are used to the system. Also in Europe, now it is believed thorugh connections ones who get some jobs are seen.. It is like 30% over here while in Srilanka it is over 90%. Ones that are close to seniors – will get posted. That is like a blood cancer metastasized – in lanken instututions dont find it as a greater mistake. Can anybody get a thing done from a bank if you are not known tot he bank well down there ? i really dont know think so this is possible even today- Once I happened to accompany my aged mother to a channel doc- there, if you knew the guy well- you were given the priority. That is in their blood. I hate the system each time having seen while visitin the countr,y but we have to work on this gradually.
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Jim softy / March 4, 2016
Even before 1974, When I was there, Lecturers got appointments based on Political patronage.
Sinhale is very primitive.
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Jim softy / March 2, 2016
Aha, Bankrupt lawyers become politicians, because money, perks and benefits should be good.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 3, 2016
Yahapalanaya or not ingrained bad habits in our politicians and the paid government servants, including those in the universities – take a long to be weeded. The voting public expect these favours from polticians, in exchange for their votes. It is a vicious triangle. The polticians have to oblige, like the medical practitioner who dispenses antibiotics, because the patient demands it expecting a quick cure, regardless of consequences. The polticians gain not only votes, but also kick backs. The heavy antibiotic prescribing medical practioner also gains patients and earns plenty as a result!
Our culture in this regards has to change drastically and dramatically. It is not possible unless the media highlights lapses as in this instance and arouses public opinion against it. On the other hand those paid to serve the people by the government, including academics should given the right to stand upto their political and administrative bosses and refuse to carry out orders or requests that are wrong. Those Nazi’s who were tried ar Nuremberg could not escape punishment by claiming that they were carrying out orders! The same should apply to those serving in the public services.
However, this would require that such persons are protected against revenge and punishment. In fact they should be rewarded, to encourage others to do so. This will be the only way to kill a bad habit quickly.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Upali Weerasinghe / March 3, 2016
Shanker
I am waiting till you bend down to pick up the coin.
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shankar / March 4, 2016
upali
i gave the boot to david blacker because of such unnatural acts.So if you want to become my lover boy first condition is normal sex only.
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Saman / March 3, 2016
Kirialla is no more appropriate to have in political domain. His MR stylish culture is not suitable for building good governance. Just like Mervin Silva, he should be put to rest from politics.
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Common Man / March 3, 2016
As regards Minister’s understanding of his powers and responsibilities under the Universities Act, he seems to lost on the Highway!
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Nagananda / March 4, 2016
Any person holding any public office abuse the office to commit any act, seeking favours or offering favours, is amounts to a commission of a punishable criminal offence of CORRUPTION in terms of Section 70 of the Bribery Act.
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Charles Cooray / March 5, 2016
I terribly regret casting my vote for him as my MP.
I found him an arrogant bastard.
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Devasiri / March 6, 2016
Sri Lankan public University problems deeper than Minister’s letter: You need to sack all fake profs and follow international criteria to appoint them: In order to be a real international professor your PhD from world top 100 University, minimum 20 articles in ISI/SCOPUS indexed journals, 10 text books with international publishers and three countries have to appoint you as a Visiting professor. But all these Sri Lankan Professors are jokers and more than 40% University Lecturers are relatives to each others and they give degrees to each other (Husband gives PhD to wife and girlfriend/mistress getting PG degree, sons, daughter and son-in law and daughter- in-law). MY3 clean University system and sack fake professors and University mafia system. Some Dept are family trees. Colombo University Arts faculty Economics Dept is a good example. We well know how they recruits and promoted in University Mafia. First find a person and then advertise according to his/her requirement and send aboard for their friends’ places for PhDs. Go beyond Sri Lankan airport and see International job market. Even in Middle East job market, without PhD from accredited Western University you cannot become even Assistant Lecturer. But in Sri Lanka more than 80% professors do not have PhD. The countries they (University teachers) go to do higher studies, no person is going to studies: China, Malaysia, Thailand and India now many are doing PhDs locally in their own work places or under friends and lovers. See Colombo University Economics Dept all the recruitment done in outdoor connections and son and his friends also got as lecturers. Even PhD applications outright they rejected at Dept level and only interview called for friends. This happen in all Universities.
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Fedrick / March 7, 2016
I 100% fully agreed with Devasiri. Some Dept are kingdom of one or two person. They think that If I go dept will collapse and it is mine and my property. So called CMB Arts faculty famous family dept internationally well known and Still Emiritus is a grand father and all lecturers are henchmen. Sri Lankan PhD holders just a joke. Like our passport and birth certificate it is just a paper getting from henchmen. Need MY3 to recheck family trees, qualifications and husband and wife, Son father, mother, son-in law and daughter in laws work in same dept or same University must be transferred to different places to improve governance. Check during last year how many PhD candidates was not called for interviews and only selected the person they wanted. Some dept are running by lesbians and they take only girls.
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Thusarai / March 7, 2016
[Edited out]
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