SRI LANKA: Growing concern against the hiring of Rakna Lanka Ltd to provide security services for universities 

A Statement from Trans Currents forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission

9 October 2011, 1:59 pm

It was just over two weeks ago that a group of 48 university academics expressed concern regarding the move by the Ministry of Higher Education to obtain the services of the Rakna Lanka Ltd to provide security to all national universities. (Please see: An appeal against infringement of university autonomy)

It was pointed out that this would bypass standard procedures that are followed in the university system in the hiring and outsourcing of services and leads to infringement of university autonomy.

Special concerns were raised about the role the military establishment is increasingly playing in the administrative and academic spheres of the universities, which are a place for the free exchange of ideas, critical thinking, and innovation.

During the past two weeks more academics have expressed solidarity with the original group of 48 in their appeal against this infringement of university autonomy. In addition various civil society commentators have also raised similar concerns.

The updated list of 116 signatories as of the 8th of October, 2011 who requests the government to respect its obligations toward the academic community and the universities with respect to its written and unwritten contract with the university system is given below.

1. Ranil Abayasekara, University of Peradeniya
2. Upul Abeyrathne, University of Ruhuna
3. M. Alfred, University of Peradeniya
4. Liyanage Amarakeerthi, University of Peradeniya
5. Jayantha Amarasinghe, University of Ruhuna
6. Harini Amarasuriya, Open University of Sri Lanka
7. Udeni Appuhamilage, University of Peradeniya
8. K. K. I. U. Arunakumara, University of Ruhuna
9. O. G. Dayarathna Banda, University of Peradeniya
10. T.M.Wijekoon Banda, University of Ruhuna
11. Nilanthi Bandara, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
12. Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya, University of Ruhuna
13. Noel Dias, University of Colombo
14. Suresh de Me, University of Peradeniya
15. Sampath Deegalla, University of Peradeniya
16. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, University of Colombo
17. Priyan Dias, University of Moratuwa
18. Ananda Edirisuriya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
19. A. Ekanayake, University of Peradeniya
20. Lesly Ekanayake, University of Moratuwa
21. Manil Fonseka, University of Peradeniya
22. Primal Fernando, University of Peradeniya
23. Lakshman Galagedara, University of Peradeniya
24. Suranjith Gunasekera, University of Ruhuna
25. Chandika Gunasinghe, University of Ruhuna
26. Ranil D. Guneratne, University of Colombo
27. Camena Guneratne, Open University of Sri Lanka
28. Dileni Gunewardena, University of Peradeniya
29. K Guruparan, University of Jaffna
30. K. R. B. Herath, University of Peradeniya
31. S. R. Herath, University of Peradeniya
32. Sanath Hettiarachchi, University of Ruhuna
33. Shyamani Hettiarachchi, University of Kelaniya
34. Rohini Hewamanna, University of Colombo
35. C.S. Hewawasam University of Peradeniya,
36. M. I. M. Ishak, University of Peradeniya
37. Nilmini Jayasena, University of Peradeniya
38. Ruwan Jayasinghe, University of Peradeniya
39. Gehan Jayasuriya, University of Peradeniya
40. Barana Jayawardana, University of Peradeniya
41. Janaki Jayawardena, University of Colombo
42. Bimali Jayawardene, University of Kelaniya
43. Romaine Jayewardene, University of Colombo
44. J. M. A. Jayawickrama, University of Peradeniya
45. Senarathne Kariyawasam, University of Peradeniya
46. Danesh Karunanayake, University of Peradeniya
47. Parakrama Karunaratne, University of Peradeniya
48. Shiromi Karunaratne, University of Moratuwa
49. Dulakshi Karunasinghe, University of Peradeniya
50. Gamini Keerawella, University of Peradeniya
51. Manikya Kodithuwakku, Open University of Sri Lanka
52. L. C. Kurukulasuriya, University of Peradeniya
53. Hemantha Kumara, University of Ruhuna
54. Amal Kumarage, University of Moratuwa
55. Shamala Kumar, University of Peradeniya
56. A. K. Jeewaka Saman Kumara, University of Peradeniya
57. Darshana Liyanage, University of Ruhuna
58. Rita Liyanage, University of Peradeniya
59. Terrence Madhujith, University of Perdeniya
60. R. Maheswaran, University of Peradeniya
61. V. Maheswaran, University of Peradeniya
62. Kumara Mahipala MBP, University of Peradeniya
63. Sanjeeva Maithripala, University of Peradeniya
64. T. Manoharan,University of Peradeniya
65. Sudesh Mantilake, University of Peradeniya
66. A. L. M. Mauroof, University of Peradeniya
67. Mahim Mendis, Open University of Sri Lanka
68. Madhava Meegaskubura, University of Peradeniya
69. R. Meegaskubura, University of Peradeniya
70. A.M. Navaratne Bandara, University of Peradeniya
71. Nilhan Niles, University of Moratuwa
72. Lakshman Nugapitiya, University of Peradeniya
73. Rathnamali Palamakumbura, University of Peradeniya
74. Ranjith W. Pallegama, University of Peradeniya
75. Upali Pannilage, University of Ruhuna
76. Indunil Pathirana, University of Ruhuna
77. K. P. P. Pathirana, University of Peradeniya
78. Susantha Pathirana, University of Peradeniya
79. Sriyani Peiris, University of Peradeniya
80. Sujeeva Sebastian Pereira, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura
81. Asoka Perera, University of Moratuwa
82. Kaushalya Perera, University of Kelaniya
83. K.E.D. Perera, University of Ruhuna
84. Niranjala Perera, Wayamba University
85. I.R. Priyantha, University of Ruhuna
86. Aruna Rajapakse, University of Peradeniya
87. Shamila Ahamed Rajaratne, University of Peradeniya
88. Romola Rassool, University of Kelaniya
89. Nimal Ratnayake, University of Peradeniya
90. Rohana Ratnayake, Open University of Sri Lanka
91. Asanga Ratnaweera, University of Peradeniya
92. Dinesha Samararatne, University of Colombo
93. Athula Kumara Samarakoon, Open University of Sri Lanka
94. K. Samarasinghe, University of Peradeniya
95. Gameela Samarasinghe, University of Colombo
96. A.B . Shanthasiri, University of Ruhuna
97. I. M. S. Sathyaprasad, University of Peradeniya
98. Kalinga Tudor Silva, University of Peradeniya
99. M A M Sitheeque, University of Peradeniya
100. M. Sitralega, Eastern University
101. Sumathy Sivamohan, University of Peradeniya
102. Upul Sonnadara, University of Colombo
103. B.M Sumanaratne, University of Ruhuna
104. V. Tharmathasan, University of Peradeniya
105. R.O. Thattil, University of Peradeniya
106. Vasanthi Thevanasam, University of Peradeniya
107. S. Thiruchelvam, University of Peradeniya
108. K.K.S Udayakantha, University of Ruhuna
109. Dulan Wathugala, University of Colombo
110. Ruvan Weerasinghe, University of Colombo
111. Carmen Wickramagamage, University of Peradeniya
112. Chandima Wickramasinghe, University of Peradeniya
113. P. Wijekoon, University of Peradeniya
114. Nima Wijesiri, University of Peradeniya
115. K.M.S. Wimalasiri, University of Peradeniya
116. B. Dileepa Witharana, Open University of Sri Lanka

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Document Type : Forwarded Statement
Document ID : AHRC-FST-053-2011
Countries : Sri Lanka,