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Say no to NEPF! Say no to abolishing free education!
A statement by academics of the university system
We are in the midst of an existentially threatening economic crisis. With an ever-increasing debt burden and low economic prospects, we continue to grapple with uncertain economic futures and related social and political distresses. As university teachers, we are concerned about the multiplicity of recent proposals seeking reforms in education that threaten to bring about a sea change in the way education is conceived of in this country: as a social good.
We note with outrage that these reform efforts have been coupled with deliberate measures to weaken and discredit state universities. While the budgetary allocations for state universities have been slashed, the government has violently suppressed any form of protest. Images of protesting students putatively wasting tax payers’ money are in wide circulation in the media. High-ranking politicians repeatedly allege that state universities are producing ‘unemployable graduates’ overlooking the fact that few employment opportunities exist for them. These narratives have convinced sections of the public that the reforms are not only necessary but the only course of action available, despite conclusive proof that similar reforms in other countries, such as the US and UK, have adversely impacted higher education.
The latest proposal is the National Education Policy Framework (NEPF), a cabinet paper that will soon be tabled in parliament addressing reforms in Early Childhood Education, General Education (i.e., primary and secondary schooling) and Tertiary Education. NEPF has not gone through any kind of consultative process, except for an open call for comments to be submitted. The NEPF’s proposals impinge on the two major education sectors: general education (i.e., primary and secondary schooling) and tertiary education, in ways that threaten the very foundations of the Free Education policy that the people of this country hold so dear. While the proposed reforms to school education are also far reaching, this statement highlights some of the changes proposed in tertiary education.
Structure and governance
A new structure called the National Higher Education Commission (NHEC) is to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC). NHEC will bring both state universities and non-state higher education institutes/degree-awarding institutes under a single authority in which the private sector will have a strong presence. There is no evidence in the NEPF of a commitment to expand state support for public education. It clearly specifies however mechanisms to subsidize the private sector, accelerating the diversion of already scarce public resources to for-profit private tertiary education. Indeed, the main thrust of the policy framework appears to be to expand the role of the private sector in higher education by facilitating “participation of non-state partners, including public-private partnerships” (p.28).
Funding of tertiary education
While the government bemoans the low numbers accessing tertiary education (NEPF misleadingly states that only 8.9% gain admission to the universities today), government expenditure on education, as of 2022 World Bank figures, is 1.2% of GDP—the second lowest in the world. The government does not anticipate increasing investment in education except by “the redeployment of existing resources, leveraging of additional resources through partnerships with non-state entities, and private contributions” (p.4).
The NEPF proposes a complete overhaul of the way universities are funded. Financing of state universities will be through three channels: government funding via grants, student contributions via out-of-pocket payments and loans, and self-generated funds of the university. Further, funding of programmes will be based on student enrollment, not as assured line-item based funding in the annual national budget. Universities, both private and public, will be expected to compete for funds and survival.
Access to education
Combined with general education, public tertiary education has historically helped reduce disparities and allowed some to escape poverty in Sri Lanka. Many of the middle class have benefitted from such access. District quotas for some academic programmes and a recognition of the differences in the social circumstances students bring with them to universities have made university education more accessible to students irrespective of gender, class, caste, region, and other signifiers of power and privilege. Through these mechanisms, universities have become integral to the country’s attempt to advance social justice. Furthermore, universities have sustained free health by providing low-cost health professional education.
The new governance structure will allow universities to create their own admission policies and, as they must compete for funds, will likely mean that degrees in fashion at a particular moment, will be key in determining the programmes offered. The types of desired students will also change as universities compete to capture students from urban and upper-middle-class social and educations backgrounds who may already have an advantage in the job market. This problem will be accentuated by plans to attract more “foreign students” for whom the NHEC will streamline visa processes and facilitate employment in Sri Lanka after graduation (p.26).
Other than for students with special needs, the NEPF does not outline any mechanisms to address social inequalities. When funding for education is made the responsibility of students, government contributions will further diminish over time. Ultimately, the astronomical costs associated with university education will mean that the wealthy will have greater access. These conditions will deepen already existing social cleavages.
The consequences of the changes in the policy on tertiary education will be huge. Indeed, free university education as we know it will cease to exist. The lack of an equitable system of education can only further impoverish the masses by denying one of the few avenues for social mobility available to them today. NEPF may not affect upper-middle-class people and urbanites who may have other opportunities for education. Those who wish for social cohesion in the country must understand that phasing out free university education will usher in a new era of tremendous instability.
We must oppose NEPF in no uncertain terms, and make a call for a wide-ranging consultative mechanism before any reforms in education are proposed or undertaken.
SIGNED BY
A. K. David, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
A. M. Navaratna Bandara, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
Ahilan Kadirgamar, Univ. of Jaffna
Anurudda Karunarathna, Univ. of Peradeniya
Anuruddha Pradeep Karnasuriya, Univ. of Sri Jayewardenepura
Anushka Kahandagama, formerly Univ. of Colombo
Arjuna Parakrama, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
Aruni Samarakoon, Univ. of Ruhuna
Athulasiri Samarakoon, Open University of Sri Lanka
Asha L. Abeyasekera, formerly Univ. of Colombo
Avanka Fernando, Univ. of Colombo
Ayomi I. Irugalbandara, Open University of Sri Lanka
B. D. R. Prasantha, Univ. of Peradeniya
B. M. H. S. K. Banneheka, Univ. of Peradeniya
Barana Jayawardana, Univ. of Peradeniya
Bhathiya Rathnayake, Univ. of Peradeniya
Chamathka Devasirie Kariyawasam, Univ. of Peradeniya
Camena Guneratne, Open University of Sri Lanka
Chamika A. Silva, Univ. of Peradeniya
Chammika Mallawaarachchi, Univ. of Visual and Performing Arts
Charudaththe B. Illangasinghe, Univ. of Visual & Performing Arts
Chathurika Munasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
Chinthaka Chandrakumara, Univ. of Colombo
Chrishantha Abeysena, Univ of Kelaniya
Crystal Baines, formerly Univ. of Colombo
Dayapala Thiranagama, formerly Univ. of Kelaniya
Dewmini Amunugama, Univ. of Peradeniya
Dhamma Dissanayake, Univ.of Colombo
Dhanuka Bandara, Univ. of Peradeniya
Dileepa Witharana, Open University of Sri Lanka
Dilrukshi Abeysinghe, Univ.of Colombo
Dilmi Tharaka, Univ. of Peradeniya
Dimagi Pitawala, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
Dinuka Wijetunga, Univ.of Colombo
Erandika de Silva, formerly Univ. of Jaffna
A. Janarth, Eastern University, Sri Lanka
F. M. Nawastheen, Open University of Sri Lanka
Farzana Haniffa, Univ. of Colombo
Fazeeha Azmi, Univ. of Peradeniya
G. D. U. P. K. Gamage, Univ. of Peradeniya
Gameela Samarasinghe, Univ. of Colombo
Gananath Obeyesekere, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
Ganganee Chandima Samaraweera, Univ. of Ruhuna
Gayani Nawarathna, Univ. of Peradeniya
Gayatri Wijekoon, Univ. of Colombo.
Geethika Dharmasinghe, Univ. of Colombo
Gihan de Chickera, formerly Univ. of Colombo
H. Sriyananda, Emeritus Professor, Open University of Sri Lanka
Harshana Rambukwella, formerly Open University of Sri Lanka
Hasini Lecamwasam, Univ. of Peradeniya
Hasintha Wijesekara, Sabaragamuwa Univ. of Sri Lanka
Hasitha Pathirana, Univ. of Kelaniya
Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Sabaragamuwa Univ. of Sri Lanka
Ishafa Illiyas, Univ. of Peradeniya
J. Prince Jeyadevan, Univ. of Jaffna
Jayadeva Uyangoda, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Colombo.
Jennifer Edama, Univ. of Peradeniya
Jinasena Hewage, formerly Univ. of Ruhuna
K. K. G. Randula, Univ. of Colombo
K. M. S. Wimalasiri, Univ. of Peradeniya
Kalpa Rajapaksha, Univ. of Peradeniya
Kamal Wasala, Univ. of Moratuwa
Kamani Sylva, Univ. of Peradeniya
Kanchuka Dharmasiri, Univ. of Peradeniya
Kasun Gajasinghe, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Univ. of Colombo
Kaushalya Perera, Univ. of Colombo
Kethakie Nagahawatte, Univ. of Colombo
Krishantha Fedricks, Univ. of Colombo
Krishmi Apsara, Univ. of Peradeniya
Kumudu Kusum Kumara, formerly Univ. of Colombo
Lahiruka Madhuwanthi, Univ. of Peradeniya
Liyanage Amarakeerthi, Univ. of Peradeniya
M. A. Nuhman, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
M. M. Alikhan, Univ. of Peradeniya
Madhara Karunarathne, Univ. of Peradeniya
Madhubhashini Disanayaka Ratnayake, Univ. of Sri Jayewardenepura
Maduranga Kalugampitiya, Univ. of Peradeniya
Madushani Randeniya, Univ. of Peradeniya
Mahendran Thiruvarangan, Univ. of Jaffna
Mahim Mendis, Open University of Sri Lanka
Manoj Alawathukotuwa, Univ. of Peradeniya
Ven. Muthukeliyawe Indarathana, Univ. of Peradeniya
N. Gafoordeen, Univ.of Colombo
Nadeesh de Silva, Open University. of Sri Lanka
Neavis Morais, Open University. of Sri Lanka.
N. G. A. Karunathilaka, Univ. of Kelaniya
Nicola Perera, Univ. of Colombo
Nira Wickramasinghe, formerly Univ. of Colombo
Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Univ. of Colombo
Nishani Jayaweera, Univ. of Peradeniya
P. Iyngaran, Univ. of Jaffna
Paba Suraweera, Univ. of Peradeniya
Pamuditha Herath, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
Pavithra Ekanayake, Univ. of Peradeniya
Pavithra Jayawardena, Univ. of Colombo
Prabhath Jayasinghe, Univ. of Colombo
Pradeep Peiris, Univ. of Colombo
Priyantha Fonseka, Univ. of Peradeniya
R. T. Gamalath, Univ. of Peradeniya
R. Angammana, Univ. of Peradeniya
Rajan Hoole, formerly Univ. of Jaffna
Rajitha Ranasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
Ramanie Jayatilaka, formerly Univ. of Colombo
Ramesh Ramasamy, Univ. of Peradeniya
Ramila Usoof, Univ. of Peradeniya
Ramya Kumar, Univ. of Jaffna
Ranjini Obeyesekere, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
Rohan Laksiri, Univ. of Ruhuna
Ruhanie Perera, Univ. of Colombo
Rumala Morel, Univ. of Peradeniya
Rupika Rajakaruna, Univ. of Peradeniya
Ruth Surenthiraraj, Univ. of Colombo
S. Sivasegaram, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
S. Arivalzahan, Univ. of Jaffna
Sachini Marasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
Sahani Situbandara, Univ. of Peradeniya
Samal Vimukthi Hemachandra, Univ. of Colombo
Saman Dharmakeerthi, Univ. of Peradeniya
Saman Pushpakumara, Univ. of Peradeniya
Samudrika Sylva, Univ. of Colombo
Sandaruwan Subasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
Sarala Emmanuel, Open University of Sri Lanka
Sarath Witharana, Univ. of Kelaniya
Sasanka Perera, formerly Univ. of Colombo
Sasinindu Patabendige, formerly Univ. of Jaffna
Saumya Liyanage, Univ. of Visual and Performing Arts
Savitri Goonsekere, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Colombo
Savitri Kumar, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
Seetha Bandara, Univ. of Kelaniya
Selvaraj Vishvika, Univ. of Peradeniya
Shalini Wijerathna, Univ of Peradeniya
Shamala Kumar, Univ. of Peradeniya
Shanil Wijesinha, Univ. of Colombo
Shashikala Assella, Univ. of Kelaniya
Shirley L. Wijesinghe, Univ. of Kelaniya
Shyamani Hettiarachchi, Univ. of Kelaniya
Siri Hettige, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Colombo
Sirima Gajameragedara, formerly Rajarata Univ. of Sri Lanka
Sithumini Rathnamalala, Univ. of Moratuwa
Sivamohan Sumathy, Univ. of Peradeniya
Sudesh Mantillake, Univ. of Peradeniya
Supoorna Kulatunga, Univ. of Peradeniya
T. Sanathanan, Univ. of Jaffna
Tasneem Hamead, Univ. of Colombo
Thiru Kandiah, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
Udari Abeyasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
Ven. Uduhawara Ananada, Univ. of Colombo
Unnathi Samaraweera, Univ. of Colombo
Upul Abeyrathne, Univ. of Peradeniya
Uwin Ariyarathna, Univ. of Peradeniya
Varuni Ganepola, formerly Univ. of Colombo
Vasanthi Thevanesam, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
Vihanga Perera, Univ. of Peradeniya
Vijaya Kumar, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
Visakesa Chandrasekaram, Univ. of Colombo
Vivimarie Vanderpoorten, Open University of Sri Lanka
Warshi S. Dandeniya, Univ. of Peradeniya
W. D. N. S. M. Tennakoon, Wayamba Univ. of Sri Lanka
Wijith Rohan Fernando, Univ. of Kelaniya.
W. M. M. P. Hulugalla, Univ. of Peradeniya
W. M. T. P. Ariyaratne, Univ. of Peradeniya
W. T. L. S. Fernando, Sabaragamuwa Univ. of Sri Lanka
Yasas Kulasekara, Univ. of Peradeniya
Yushani Alahakoon, Univ.of Peradeniya
* Iran begins 40-day mourning after Khamenei killed in US-Israeli attack
* President Pezeshkian condemns killing as ‘a great crime’
Iran has begun 40 days of mourning after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel, according to Iranian state media.
Top security officials were also killed in Saturday’s strikes, along with Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and grandson. The killings mark one of the most significant blows to Iran’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic revolution Al Jazeera has reported.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing as “a great crime”, according to a statement from his office. He also declared seven days of public holidays in addition to the 40-day mourning period.
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi said people were pouring into the streets of the capital following the news of Khamenei’s killing.
“There will be expected ceremonies,” he said, noting they would likely take place amid continuing bombardment across the country.
Protests denouncing Khamenei’s killing were also reported elsewhere, including Shiraz, Yasuj and Lorestan.
“There will be expected ceremonies,” he said, noting they would likely take place amid continuing bombardment across the country.
Footage aired by Iranian state media showed supporters mourning at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, with several people seen crying and collapsing in grief, according to Al Jazeera.
The killing also led to protests in neighbouring Iraq, which declared three days of public mourning. In Baghdad, protesters confronted security forces in the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses Iraqi government buildings and foreign embassies.
Videos verified by Al Jazeera showed demonstrators waving flags and shouting slogans, with witnesses saying some were attempting to mobilise towards the US Embassy. Footage also showed protesters blocking vehicles at a roundabout near one of the entrances to the area.
There was also a protest in the Pakistani city of Karachi, where footage, verified by Al Jazeera, showed people setting fire to and smashing the windows of the US consulate.
However, there have also been reports of celebrations in Iran, with the Reuters news agency quoting witnesses as saying some people had taken to the streets in Tehran, the nearby city of Karaj and the central city of Isfahan.
Meanwhile, the official IRNA news agency reported that a three-person council, consisting of the country’s president, the chief of the judiciary, and one of the jurists of the Guardian Council, will temporarily assume all leadership duties in the country. The body will temporarily oversee the country until a new supreme leader is elected.
Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, accused the US and Israel of trying to plunder Iran, in an interview aired on state TV.
He also called on Iranians to unite. “Groups seeking to divide Iran should know that we will not tolerate it,” he added.
Smoke rises over central Tehran following ongoing U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran yesterday.[EPA]
Khamenei assumed leadership of Iran in 1989 following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who had led the Islamic revolution a decade earlier.
While Khomeini was regarded as the ideological force behind the revolution that ended the Pahlavi monarchy, Khamenei went on to shape Iran’s military and paramilitary apparatus, strengthening both its domestic control and its regional influence.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) pledged revenge and said it had launched strikes on 27 bases hosting US troops in the region, as well as Israeli military facilities in Tel Aviv.
Explosions have continued to be reported in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while security alerts are in place in several countries across the region.
US President Donald Trump, in a social media post on Sunday, warned Iran that it would be hit “with a force that has ?never been seen before” if it retaliated.
Iran’s retaliatory attacks since Saturday have targeted Israel and US assets across multiple Middle East countries, including Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Harlan Ullman, chairman of the strategic advisory firm Killowen Group and an adviser to the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, said the US may have made a “big mistake” by killing Khamenei.
“Decapitation only works when you get all the leaders, and I don’t think that we got all the leaders,” Ullman said, adding that the US should not expect Iran’s leadership to enter negotiations in the immediate aftermath.
Iranian state media reported on Saturday at least 201 people have been killed in the joint US-Israeli attacks across 24 provinces, citing the Red Crescent. In southern Iran, at least 148 people were killed and 95 wounded in a strike on an elementary girls’ school in Minab on Saturday, with the toll continuing to rise, according to state media.
There would be no delay in fuel shipments scheduled for April and May, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) assured yesterday.
Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna said Sri Lanka’s fuel supplies did not originate from the present conflict zone in West Asia and, therefore, supplies to the Corporation would not be disrupted.
He noted that the relevant consignments were due to arrive from India and Singapore as planned.
“We are making this statement responsibly. There is no need for the public to queue up for fuel. Distribution was not originally scheduled for Sunday (01), but due to increased demand, we have deployed all distribution staff to continue fuel issuance. Although Monday (02) is a Poya Day, fuel supplies will continue without interruption,” he said.
The Chairman added that all filling stations had been instructed not to dispense fuel into cans or barrels, warning that legal action would be taken against those attempting to purchase fuel in bulk containers for resale.
The 13th Session of the Sri Lanka–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was successfully held recently in Colombo, reinforcing the strong and longstanding economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, while the Pakistani delegation was headed by Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for Industries and Production. The session concluded with the signing of the Agreed Minutes by both Co-Chairs, formalising cooperation across multiple sectors.
The Pakistan High Commission in Colombo said that in the IT and digital economy, both sides agreed in principle to establish a Joint Working Group on IT and telecommunications, promote collaboration in emerging technologies, and support each other in international digital forums.
Industrial cooperation was a key focus, with discussions on expanding trade in chemicals, polymers, engineering goods, glassware, surgical instruments, and pharmaceuticals. Sri Lanka invited Pakistani pharmaceutical companies to explore investment opportunities in designated pharmaceutical zones. Both countries also agreed to strengthen collaboration in Export Processing Zones and enhance support for small and medium enterprises through their respective development agencies.
Significant progress was made in agriculture and livestock, including cooperation on meat exports, livestock farming, seed certification, sanitary and phytosanitary harmonisation, pest risk analysis, and capacity building. Procedures for the export of Sri Lankan pineapples and avocados to Pakistan were advanced. Both sides explored electronic phytosanitary certification (ePhyto), blockchain-based seed traceability systems, and increased trade in agro-commodities such as rice, sesame, and onions.
In education, the JEC emphasised academic and research cooperation, faculty and student exchanges, accreditation and quality assurance, and promoting Pakistan as a higher education destination for Sri Lankan students. A Joint Working Group on Education and Science was proposed, alongside renewal of several institutional Memoranda of Understanding.
Cooperation in science, technology, and innovation will continue under existing bilateral frameworks, with plans for joint research in advanced materials, biotechnology, climate change mitigation, and emerging technologies. Collaborative research projects, student exchanges, and co-authored publications were highlighted as key initiatives.
Health sector collaboration will focus on joint research, academic exchanges, regulatory cooperation on therapeutic goods, capacity building, fast-track registration of essential medicines, public-private partnerships, epidemiological surveillance, and coordinated responses to disease outbreaks.
Maritime cooperation was also discussed, with Pakistan offering technical expertise, training, and industrial collaboration through its shipbuilding institutions. Both sides explored enhanced maritime connectivity, including transshipment, port cooperation at Karachi and Gwadar, direct shipping routes, logistics integration, and maritime training programs.
Commerce secretary-level talks reviewed the progress of the Pakistan–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA), assessing current implementation and identifying measures to further enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
On the sidelines, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan held discussions with Sri Lankan Cabinet members on collaboration in industry, labor and foreign employment, and health sectors.
Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the 13th JEC and reaffirmed their commitment to regular engagement and effective implementation of agreed initiatives. It was mutually agreed that the 14th session will be held in Islamabad, with dates to be confirmed through diplomatic channels.
Oil prices rise after ships attacked near Strait of Hormuz
War photographer Paul Conroy dies as tributes paid
Allies of US in the Gulf bear brunt of Iran attacks
Dry weather will prevail in most parts of the island
Israel resumes attacks as Iran vows to avenge supreme leader’s death
CPC has enough fuel stocks
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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