Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Directors discuss FUTA action

The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Directors (CVCD) on Monday held a special meeting to discuss the impending trade union action by the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA). After deliberations, the CVCD issued the following statement signed by its Chairman Prof. Susirith Mendis.

Having considered the present situation in the Universities in Sri Lanka, the CVCD is convinced that: Since the non academic trade union action has already disrupted academic activities of the universities, the impending trade union action by FUTA will continue to disrupt and seriously aggravate the situation adversely affecting free education; This will delay the admission of new students to the universities as well as the graduation of university students; This will result in wastage of valuable academic expertise and other resources of the universities; This will seriously tarnish the credibility of the academics in the eyes of the public; This will erode the public confidence and superior positions maintained by the national universities as the premier providers of higher education in Sri Lanka; and the academics have recently received substantial increases in remuneration and other benefits.

Furthermore, the CVCD is of the view that opportunities still exist for negotiations with the state authorities before embarking on the proposed trade union action.

Therefore, the CVCD requests the academic community of national universities in Sri Lanka to consider the above in all seriousness and endeavour to maintain a conducive environment to continue academic activities without disruption.