Eastern University Teachers' Association Launches Trade Union Action Condemning the Actions of UGC Chairman
The Eastern University Teachers' Association (TAEU) has launched a symbolic strike starting from 29-09-2025, condemning the irregular actions of the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Senior Professor Kapila Perera Senaviratne.
In particular, the UGC removed the first Dean of the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, claiming that the post was not approved by the Department of Management Services. However, at the Eastern University, another Dean has been allowed to continue in office without such approval, revealing a double standard.
Even though the Department of Management Services approved the post of the Dean of the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies from 20-06-2025, the UGC has continued to delay the appointment of a Dean for that faculty due to narrow political interests.
This situation has caused several operational issues within the university:
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The Faculty of Postgraduate Studies is operating without a Dean.
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This vacancy has led to confusion in academic and administrative affairs.
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There has been a delay in releasing exam results for postgraduate students.
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The Faculty Board has not convened for over two months, causing obstacles in taking academic decisions.
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For the upcoming convocation scheduled on October 4th and 5th, there is a risk that postgraduate degrees might not be officially submitted due to the absence of an appointed Dean.
In addition, the UGC has engaged in several other irregular actions in the past:
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The Vice-Chancellor selection for the Eastern University was nullified illegally, forcing a re-selection.
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Before the second selection took place, the Dean of the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies was removed.
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Contrary to the usual practice and for the first time in the university’s history, the UGC appointed a disproportionately large number of Council members from the majority ethnic group, disregarding ethnic representation.
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These actions were opposed both by the Teachers' Association and Members of Parliament, but were ignored by the UGC.
Shockingly, the UGC also appointed an individual to the University Council who claims a fake professorship title, which was not awarded by any local or foreign university. Although the UGC has issued circulars on who is eligible to use the title of “Professor,” it has violated its own guidelines by recognizing this fake title. The Teachers' Association had informed the UGC in writing, but no action has been taken.
Therefore, while strongly condemning the above irregular actions of the UGC, the Eastern University Teachers' Association emphasizes the following demands:
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The Dean for the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies must be appointed immediately, or the previously removed Dean should be reinstated.
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All decisions regarding appointments and removals must be applied equally across all faculties.
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The UGC must function with transparency in all its actions.
The Eastern University Teachers' Association expects positive resolutions to these matters. If not addressed, the Association has warned that it will escalate to continuous and more severe trade union actions.