Colombo University’s new VC vows to prevent political interference, bane of the past
Sri Lanka’s new Vice Chancellor of the Colombo University, which has been the centre of controversy during the last regime owing to alleged political interference, said last week that he would establish proper traditions and procedures and prevent politicisation in the institution.
Senior Professor Lakshman Dissanayake also told an august assembly of former undergraduates – now members of the university’s the Alumni Association – that he was aspiring to make the University of Colombo “a World Class Regional University similar to the National University of Singapore”.
President of Colombo Alumni Rajeev Amarasuriya presenting the felicitation Plaque to Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake as Minister of University Education Mohan Lal Grero looks on.
He was speaking at a formal felicitation ceremony to welcome him by the association held recently at the Senate Hall in the College House premises of the University of Colombo. It was attended by many alumni and University academics.Rajeev Amarasuriya, President of the Alumni Association, delivering the inaugural address stated that the new Vice Chancellor was someone with a great vision, always striving to take the University of Colombo to greater heights. The success of the Faculty of Graduate Studies as a seat of postgraduate learning today, bears testimony to some of the important developmental initiatives that he implemented during his tenure as the Dean of this Faculty.
University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Mohan De Silva said Prof. Dissanayake has vast experience in his university career, covering most of the administrative and academic roles having gone through the mill so to speak being the Academic Sub Warden, Academic Warden, Student Counsellor, Co-coordinator of the Demographic Training and Research Institute, Rector of the Sri Palee Campus and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies before being appointed as Vice Chancellor.
The large gathering of academics and alumni who were present.
State Minister of University Education Mohan Lal Grero, speaking at the felicitation, said that it is of paramount importance that the government focuses on increasing access to the university by enhancing the capacity. Prof. Dissanayake said he took part in many extra-curricular activities without ever having to miss lectures and that he always attended to his studies diligently. As a former student who had experienced all aspects of a university student’s life, he was well-equipped to understand and address issues concerning present day undergraduate students.
His immediate plans for the university include making the university accessible for the differently-abled students, establish a service centre which is equipped with a restaurant, conference room and a guest house for visiting faculty and also to start a Faculty of Technology within the university. The new VC is the recipient of many national and international awards and fellowships for his contribution to the field of Demography. He presently is the University’s Senior Professor in the Department of Demography.