FUTA To Fight For Removal Of Kshanika Hirimburegama

The Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) has decided to launch a campaing against the Chairperson of University Grants Commission Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama.

A local newspaper said that FUTA has demanded her resignation in a letter to which she has failed to respond. This has made FUTA make the decision to fight for her removal.

FUTA Secretary Prof. Rohan Fernando has told the local media that she has several charges against her including the enrolment of a female student to the University of Ruhuna on a letter of recommendation of MP Namal Rajapaksa and using UGC's money to publish newspaper advertisements supporting the presidential campaign of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Hirimburegama is a staunch Rajapaksa ally.

Kshanika Hirimburegama became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo in 2008 upon the retirement of Prof. T. Hettiarachchi. It was said that Hirimburegama's appointment was politically motivated and that she was appointed over other senior academics in the university.

In January 2013, when she became the Chairperson of UGC, her husband succeeded her as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo, a move that was widely criticized.