Don’s dismissal on technicality challenged by other academics

By Ifham Nizam

University academics yesterday expressed concern over the removal of Professor Saumya Liyanage of the University of Visual and Performing Arts, stressing that ‘audit culture’ would lead to a number of issues in universities. All academics addressed the media in their personal capacities.

Addressing a media briefing at the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR), Professor of English, University of Peradeniya, Prof. Sumathy Sivamohan said the committee should have studied the proper procedure prior to taking a decision on Professor Saumya Liyanage.

Professor Liyanage was removed from the posts of Professor and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda, joining the discussion said that even now the mistake could be corrected.

He also said that punishment of such magnitude could not be encouraged. “It is one of the strict decisions in the recent past,” he added.

Dr. Nimal Ranjith Dewasiri said that justice should be done by reinstating Professor Liyanage.

He also said that it was the responsibility of the university when it came to consequences

Fortnight ago a decision was taken by the University Council chaired by the Competent Authority of the University Professor Abayaratne Bandara to remove Prof. Liyanage on grounds he had not obtained a postgraduate degree by research (Master or PhD) within the probationary period of eight years. When a lecturer is appointed on probationary basis, he is given eight years to complete postgraduate degree––a master’s or a PhD 

Liyanage holds a PhD from La Trobe University, Australia and he claims he submitted his PhD thesis within the stipulated period of eight years, and the university had recommended him for the award of PhD with minor corrections. The effective date of PhD could be the date of submission of corrected thesis or the date of annual convocation. It differs from university to university.

Liyanage, who joined the university in 2007, was supposed to obtain his PhD before 2015, but the university has taken five years to detect that he has not completed his PhD within the probationary period and he was promoted as a Professor and the Dean of Graduate Studies.