Why Was Professor Saumya Liyanage Removed?

By Sarath Chandrajeewa –OCTOBER 3, 2020

Professor Saumya Liyanage became a focus of inquiry of the COPE because there were many petitions against him by a section of the University of visual and performing arts, who had harbored prejudices and grudges because he was very efficient, talented, was proficient in both English and Sinhala languages and dedicated to the university and was a professional. Because of their jealousy, they also complained against him to the internal auditor, National Audit Commission and the COPE.

Sarath Chandrajeewa

Because of these unprofessional petitions and anonymous letters, then vice-chancellor of the University of Visual and performing arts, Professor Sarath Chandrajeewa was called to COPE on the 22nd of March 2018. The negligence of the university, namely official letters sent by the university back and forth without proper inquiry in many matters was questioned by the COPE. The Vice-Chancellor who appeared before the COPE pointed out that Saumya Liyange, was appointed as a lecturer probationary on the 2nd February in 2007 and after completing his probation period he has submitted his Ph.D. thesis to the University of La-Trobe Australia on the 30th of September 2014, well within seven years and, seven months and 28 days, that is before within the speculated an eight-year period where he is supposed to complete his Ph.D. according to the regulations of the UGC. The matter was settled after the official explanation given by the Vice-Chancellor.

UVPA had a vacancy for an approved cadre for a post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor. There were two applicants for this post namely, Professor Chandragupta Thenuwara and Professor Saumya Liyanage. A presentation on the theme of future development plan of the UVPA and the vision statement of the candidate, had to be presented the Council by both the candidates, and since Saumya Liyanage’s presentation and the interview gained high marks his name was sent by the university to the UGC for their consent.

This resulted in another sabotaged attempt by a group of lecturers calling themselves ‘Music Professionals’ with a vested interest in the faculty of Music. They sent a letter to the Ministry titled “the proposed deputy Vice Chancellorship of the University of visual and performing arts”, pointing out that there was no need for such a position at that time and the UGC should not act on such a recommendation. Instead of the secretary of the ministry of higher education, Deputy Director Deshini Thilakaratne has sent an official letter to the Vice-Chancellor asking his observations on the letter written by a group of people in the Faculty of Music. An official reply was sent to the ministry of higher education through the UGC on 2019.09.04 by the Vice-Chancellor with the knowledge of the University council justifying again the need for a deputy Vice Chancellor for the University of Visual and performing arts. However, there was no official reply to that letter, and the request for a post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor was not heeded by the ministry. It is unethical to ask for reasons for a post of Deputy Vice Chancellor and to act upon letters of trade unions. However, malicious letters and petitions continued to be sent against Professor Saumya Liyanage because of deep-rooted prejudices.

The vacancy of the post of Vice Chancellor of the University of Visual and Performing Arts was advertised recently, Professor Saumya Liyanage was one of the candidates who applied for this post.

Once again, a wrong decision taken on Prof. Liyanage by one of the former Vice-Chancellors, Professor Ariyarathna Kaluarachchi five years ago with the consent of University Council was resurrected again maliciously by the present Registrar B.M. Dayawansa with the help of some members of the new university council. As a result, Professor Saumya Liyanage was demoted shamefully to a temporary lecturer position and was removed from professorship and from the position of Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. 

In an incident like this, the normal procedure to follow is to appoint an external examiner on so-called charges, but in this case, surprisingly it was not followed, instead a few members of the council had been appointed and based on their views a decision has been taken. It is a conflict of interest. The members had been divided of this matter but they had gained two more votes. Council made a major error in not having a formal enquiry in this case. Therefore, Professor Liyanage became a victim due to the conspiracy of the so-called vested interest group. Instead, of having an impartial inquiry, this group against Professor Liyanage got together again and acted maliciously to demote him, vehemently acting with undermining transparency and norms of ethics. 

No proper procedure has been conducted on this case. Without the duty of the council the opinion of the UGC and the attorney general was consulted. On 03-04-2020 UGC has officially informed the competent authority of the University of Visual and Performing arts in a letter with the heading “Changing the effective date of appointment of Professor Saumya Liyanage and rectify his appointment.” They have not recommended removing him. 

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