Minister Kiriella's letter is no surprise
-- Kelaniya Vice Chancellor
Dr. Sunanda Madduma Bandara, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya has expressed his ideas about the letter directed to authorities of Kelaniya Campus by the Minister of Higher Education making a request to oblige a confidant of his
for the post of lecturer, on a temporary basis, which letter has caused some uproar by now.What he says is that the said letter is very much an ordinary letter and that such letters have been received in plenty throughout the university administrative history. He says, "I don't understand why this letter went so far as to create an uproar such as this. Such instances where such letters of that type are being sent by Ministers when we happen to conduct our interviews which is a matter that is frequently seen. Instances of interviews where such letters are not to be seen is something that could be calledrare. In the same way there are enough of politicians who give telephone calls too trying to make some influence requesting that so and so be given an appointment. This situation is to be seen not only in our universities .... everyone is aware that it occurs in every government institution too. When circumstances are such, I am surprised how this letter created a sensation within the media. But in whatever way letters come and in whatever manner telephone messages come ... those are not orders of course. It's we who decide as to who should be taken or who should not be. Such decisions are based on qualifications only. Only if an unsuitable person is recruited that a media dialogue should take place". The letter that provoked a sensation, from below
