Professor Lalitha Mendis appointed as Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo
Wednesday, 1 April 2015 00:56
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The University Grants Commission has appointed Professor Lalitha Mendis as the Acting Vice Chancellor at the University of Colombo following the leave of Vice Chancellor Dr. Kumara Hirimburegama.
Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Professor Mohan de Silva said that Professor Lalitha Mendis, former head of the Colombo Medical Faculty, has been appointed to fill the position and she will assume duties on Monday.
The UGC Chairman said that Dr. Hirimburegama had requested leave and his leave application was approved at a special Commission meeting.
The President and the Minister of Higher Education have granted their approval for the appointment, he said.
The trade union of Sri Lanka university teachers, Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) has strongly protested the appointment of Dr. Hirimburegama as the Vice Chancellor in 2013 saying that he possesses the minimal qualifications required for the post and it was a political appointment.
Dr. Hirimburegama was appointed to the post following the promotion of then Vice Chancellor and his wife Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama as the Chairperson of the University Grants Commission by the former President.
The academics of the Colombo University earlier this month occupied the office of the Vice Chancellor in protest and asked him to step down.
