FUTA threatens strike action against academic duo

By Anuradha Kodagoda

The Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) is poised to take drastic action against the academic duo Dr and Prof Hirimburegama who were appointed to two plum positions in the education sector by the former regime.

FUTA head - Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri

Kshanika Hirimburegama recently relinquished her post as UGC Chairperson under pressure while husband Dr Kumara Hirumburegama who still holds the position as VC, Colombo University.

This comes in the wake of the news that the latter was to be re-appointed as UGC Chairman. The FUTA threatens island wide strike action if she is re-appointed.

Talking to the Sunday Observer, Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, media spokesperson of the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) said,

"We are watching closely as to who will be appointed as UGC head because it has now fallen vacant after the resignation of Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama.The decision may reflect the Government's intentions with regard to tertiary education in this country as well as their adherence to practices of good governance"

Mean while the Colombo University Teachers Associations (CUTA) has called for the immediate resignation of the Vice Chancellor of the Colombo University, Dr. Kumara Hirimburegama, while charging him with misconduct and abuse of power.

There was a protest at the University of Colombo last Thursday (19) forcing him to step down from his position and warning him of failure to do so would create a crisis situation in the University of Colombo.

The Hirumburegama duo facing the wrath of the FUTA

The State Minister for Education, Rajiva Wijesinha who was opposed to some of the decisions that were recently taken said that, bowing to pressure and taking such a rash decision to ask for the immediate resignation of the UGC Chairman, Kshanika Hirimburegama at a time when the Government was looking to move forward based on policy decisions was wrong.

He also said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasighe said that Prof. Hirimburegama's resignation had nothing to do with FUTA pressure but was in accordance with the principle that all heads of commissions should resign.

Commenting on State Minister's above statements, Dr. Dewasiri said that, "It is not our concern whether the Government took the decision to ask for the immediate resignation of former UGC Chairman Kshanika Hirimburegama due to FUTA pressure or due to any other formality. We are closely monitoring the Government's standards to re-establish good governance back into the education system in the country.

Even if the State Minister Rajiva Wijesinha decides to quit due to Prof. Hirimburegama's resignation , the Government should handle that. But if he continuously questions the rights of the FUTA to raise such a demand then maybe he is not aware of trade union rights.

We are stake holders of the University system and we are obliged to stand against the odds which are happening in the University education system and we will continue our struggle till the authorities adhere with the good governance policy which were the main slogan of the present Government during the recent presidential election campaign."

"The recent protest conducted by the Colombo University Teachers Associations (CUTA) demanding the immediate resignation of the Vice Chancellor of the Colombo University was only a demonstration.

If he did not step down from his position within the next two weeks, there is no other alternative other than going on a continuous strike.Besides, Dr. Kumara Hirimburegama is the husband of Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama.

From the very first day he was appointed as Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, we held several protests and strikes claiming that he was the least qualified candidate for the position and was appointed only due to political backing," Dr. Dewasiri further said.