• Cite lack of fair funding as impeding quality edu. provision, research, resources/facilities to students/staff 

The University Executive Officers’ Association (UEOA) yesterday (12) staged an islandwide protest demanding solutions to the issues faced by the community of State universities.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12), UEOA General Secretary Sampath Udayanga said that all academic and non-academic trade unions affiliated with the State university sector have launched a joint protest for the first time in history against the Government's alleged efforts to hamper the State university system.

He said that thousands of academic and non-academic staffers protested in front of all 17 State universities without causing any inconvenience to university students. He claimed that the Government has intentionally given up finding solutions to issues persisting in the university system, which have now paved the way for them to privatise the higher education system in Sri Lanka.

He also said that the prevailing chronic lack of financial support severely impeded our universities’ ability to offer quality education, conduct research, and provide adequate resources and facilities to students and staff. He added that the lack of a fair and transparent funding system creates an environment of uncertainty, and hampers long-term planning, resulting in compromised educational standards.

Speaking further, he said that the unjust treatment of university staff – including low wages and inadequate benefits – has been a significant cause for unrest under severe inflation in the country, adding that those dedicated individuals, who work tirelessly to educate and shape the minds of our youth, deserve fair compensation for their efforts. 

He further noted that they urged the Government to protect the State universities’ community under the University Grants Commission (UGC) and to resolve salary anomalies by increasing the salary of university staff this year.

In a letter addressed to UGC Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, the UEOA said that they believed that a collaborative approach between State universities, the UGC, and the Government is imperative to ensure a conducive and nurturing environment for education, development, and the administration of the system.