The present Vice Chancellor
of Jaffna University
By S. Ratnajeevan H.
Hoole Professor and Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna (on special
leave and left in limbo)
I refer to your recent article titled CHARGES THAT LTTE MURDERED
A STUDENT CAMPAIGNED FOR RE-OPENING ON THE DAY OF THE OPENING OF JAFFNA
UNIVERSITY"
In that article you refer incorrectly to Prof. Kumaravadivel (who
merely covers my duties) as the present Vice Chancellor.
However, I was appointed VC/Jaffna effective March 12 by HE the President.
University of Peradeniya accordingly released me to Jaffna. I functioned
from Colombo, issued instructions as VC and even represented the university
in official capacity. there is record of all this at the UGC.
Unfortunately there was a threat to my life and the UGC recognizing
this threat gave me leave to go abroad. It is noteworthy that the
UGC giving me leave was necessarily recognition of my being VC. If
not, it would have been only up to Univ. of Peradeniya to consider
my leave.
Since my departure, events have taken an unfortunate turn. I have
not been paid my salary since March 12, 2006. The UGC does not reply
or even acknowledge receipt of my several letters. I have emailed
the Chairman with copies to the Secretary. I have faxed letters to
the Chairman's fax and to the Secretary's fax. All to no avail!
Prof. Kuamaravidivel who covers my duties at the request of the UGC
has signed letters placing my seal "Vice Chancellor, University
of Jaffna". Such letters have been shown to me by those in receipt
of such letters. Obviously you too have been misinformed.
It is noteworthy that several persons whom I asked and later the UGC
too asked to cover my duties were refused permission by the LTTE and
only Prof. Kumaravadivel was allowed to cover my duties. A senior
medical faculty professor and former Dean at my request agreed to
function covering my duties provided the UGC also asked. The UGC did.
He faxed the UGC in the morning of one day that he had begun work
at the VC's office. After "a visit", he faxed the UGC the
same day in the afternoon saying that he is unable to cover my duties.
After Prog. Kumaravadivel was allowed by these visitors to function,
the medical professor wrote a justly angry letter to the UGC pointing
out the situation where such a person is allowed to cover my duties.
It is further relevant that there can be no Acting VC either, since
it would mean that there is no VC, creating the problem of salaries
for 2 persons as VC. The is financial provision for only one person
to be paid as VC. The UGC seems to have thought that it is all right
to hand over the university.
As far as I know the law, only HE the President can remove me from
the post of VC. He may well do so but I have not been informed of
such precipitous action by him. Until the President removes me, there
can be no other VC or even Acting VC for University of Jaffna.
I will as always cooperate with HE the President and the UGC to do
whatever they consider expedient to University of Jaffna. The present
situation of ignoring my letters asking for what my position is, does
not seem to be very gentelmanly of the UGC.
Sincerely,
S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
Professor and Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna (on special eave
and left in limbo)
