The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has barred former University of Peradeniya Dental Faculty professor W.M. Tilakaratne from holding any position in academic or educational institutions across the country following what the Court described as very serious findings of sexual harassment.
The Court directed that the first respondent, Prof. W.M. Tilakaratne, be prohibited from accepting any paid, unpaid, or honorary position in any university, educational institute, or other academic institution.
The order was issued following a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Dr. W.A.M. Udari L. Abeyasinghe, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Peradeniya, who alleged that she had been sexually harassed by the professor while he served as her M.Phil. supervisor.
To ensure the implementation of the order, the Court directed the University Grants Commission to issue formal instructions to all universities and institutions under its purview not to appoint the first respondent to any position.
The ruling followed the rejection by the Council of the University of Peradeniya of findings made by a formal inquiry committee, which had cited delays in the complainant lodging her complaint.
Delivering the judgment on behalf of the three-judge bench, Justice Janak De Silva invoked the Court’s “just and equitable jurisdiction” to hold the professor accountable, noting that he had not challenged the specific findings of misconduct.
A formal inquiry conducted by the University of Peradeniya had previously found the professor guilty of several charges, including cyberstalking the petitioner through his mobile phone, physically harassing her by repeatedly hugging her and touching her hands, back, and legs despite her objections, and breaching the trust placed in him as a senior academic.
The Court stressed that the right to practise a profession depends on the existence of an environment free from sexual harassment.
It further observed that continuous abuse and sexual harassment over a prolonged period could cause severe physical and psychological harm, adding that such trauma often contributed to delays in victims coming forward with complaints.
In addition to the ban imposed on the professor, the Court also directed the University of Peradeniya and its Council to immediately implement measures to strengthen policies relating to sexual and gender-based harassment.
These measures include conducting mandatory annual awareness programmes for academics, staff, and students to promote a safer working and learning environment.
