Monday, May 6, 2019

No Sharia University or Batticaloa Campus requested permission from UGC

No Sharia University or Batticaloa Campus in Sri Lanka - UGC
Following heavy criticism, President Maithripala Sirisena said on May 8th that Batticaloa University will be regulated under the Higher Education Ministry. President further said that university expected to continue as a private university under the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Higher Education and, there will be a clear decision regarding the curriculum maintained by the university.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka government has expelled around 200 Islamic clerics after the Easter bombings. The clerics are believed to have entered the country legally, but due to security crackdown after the attacks, they were found to have overstayed their visas for which fines were imposed and they were expelled from the island.


No Sharia University or Batticaloa Campus requested permission from UGC.
Chairman of the SriLanka University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof. Mohan de Silva says that there is NO  university named ‘Sharia University’ under the jurisdiction of the UGC. Issuing a press release UGC Chairman further says that no such university has requested permission nor given authority by the UGC to conduct educational courses.

The complete media release is as follows:

“Attention of the University Grants Commission is drawn to several news items regarding an organization referred to as ‘Sharia University’ or ‘Batticaloa Campus’ located in Poonani in the Eastern province.

The Commission wishes to state that, as per the University Act 1978 (as amended) University Grants Commission is mandated only to plan and coordinate university education and regulate the administration of 15 state universities that come under the purview of the University Grants Commission.

University Grants Commission categorically states that no organization by the name of ‘Sharia University’ or ‘Batticaloa Campus’ has ever requested permission, nor given authority by the Commission to conduct degree courses.”

Sharia University Batticaloa

After the Easter Sunday attacks, students and students unions demanded government to shutdown controversial ‘Sharia University or “Batticaloa campus” saying it spread radical Islamic religious ideology and says it allows students to study Bachelor of Arts in Sharia and Islamic Studies in Islamic Law in Sri Lanka without charging money.
Inter University Students’ Federation IUSF says the largest Islamic university in South Asia is being constructed at Punani in Batticaloa area to promote Islamic religious ideology, with financial assistance from Saudi Arabia and support from government and UGC.
IUSF says university conduct 10 degree courses including Islamic Banking & Finance and Shariah & Islamic Studies.

Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof. Mohan de Silva says that there is no university named ‘Sharia University’ under the jurisdiction of the UGC refusing media reports UGC involvement. 

“University Grants Commission categorically states that no organization by the name of ‘Sharia University’ or ‘Batticaloa Campus’ has ever requested permission, nor given authority by the Commission to conduct degree courses.” UGC said releasing a media release.


Inputs from Govt News Portal / University World News
www.lankauniversity-news.com

Schools reopen for second term May 6


According to the Director General of the Government Information Nalaka Kaluwewa the second term of school will commence on Monday (May 06) for Grades 6 to 13 in all government schools. Issuing Media release the DGI says that for Grades 1 to 5 the second term will commence on May 13.


www.lankauniversity-news.com

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Universities reopen from May 13

Universities will not reopen as scheduled due to security situation in Sri LankaUpdate - 


Issuing a statement, UGC requests Vice Chancellor to decide the dates of academic activities commencement at any date from May 13, if VC’s are satisfied with the security situation.

--------
Sri Lanka University Grants Commission (UGC) says that universities will be re-opened after the security forces ensure the security of university premises. The UGC has informed all Universities not to commence academic activities without their advice on security clearance. 
Therefore University will not re-open as scheduled before until permission is given by the National Security Council and the new date of commencement of academic activities will be informed soon.

Once the security units check the premises of all universities, the status will be reported. Thereafter, the vice chancellors can decide on the dates to recommence their respective universities. 


Meanwhile, Acting Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenepura University: Senior Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, in a statement to media said all academic activities, including post graduate and external degree programs have been postponed indefinitely until further notice.It has been scheduled to re-open Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences from 8th May 2019 and other Faculties from 13th May 2019.


Source - Govt Info News

www.lankauniversity-news.com