In a startling revelation, Prof. Sampath Amaratunga, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, has voiced concerns over the critical shortage of lecturers in government universities in Sri Lanka. Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), Prof. Amaratunga highlighted the pressing need for immediate action to address this crisis.

According to Prof. Amaratunga, there should be a total of 12,992 lecturers in government universities to maintain educational standards effectively. However, as of the latest data, only 6,548 lecturers are currently in service. This substantial deficit has raised serious concerns about the quality of education being provided in these institutions.

The Chairman emphasized that the situation has reached a critical juncture, necessitating the urgent recruitment of at least one thousand doctors to bolster the faculty ranks. The shortage of qualified educators not only compromises the educational experience but also hampers the progress of research and development within these institutions.

Furthermore, Prof. Amaratunga pointed out that the economic crisis in the country has driven many university professors to leave Sri Lanka in search of better opportunities abroad. This brain drain exacerbates the existing faculty shortage and threatens the stability of the higher education system.

In addition to the faculty crisis, there is a notable scarcity of non-academic staff in Sri Lankan universities, further straining their operational efficiency.