Due to arbitrary administrative actions: Futures of 3000 Gampaha Wickramarachchi University undergrads in jeopardy

Based on concerns regarding the violation of students’ educational rights and the uncertainty surrounding their future security, undergraduates of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University    staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Education in April this year 

• The total student population of the faculty is 1,108. In addition, nearly 300 students have been enrolled for the fifth intake
• The objective of the degree programmes was to offer qualifications that align with the demands of the job market and societal needs
• Students complain that even the minimum facilities required for training in some streams weren’t available within the faculty
• Undergrads complain that subject curricula were arbitrarily revised in ways that harmed the quality of the programmes

By Prageeth Sampath Karunathilaka 

Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, the 16th state university in Sri Lanka, was established in 2021. At the time of its establishment as a university, it didn’t possess even the minimum facilities required to function as a university. The government in power at that time also didn’t dedicate itself to provide the necessary facilities. Instead, rather than improving the facilities expected of a university, the government established three new faculties in addition to the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine. These were the Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology, the Faculty of Indigenous Social Sciences and Management Studies and the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology consists of the Department of Indigenous Health Sciences, the Department of Technology, and the Department of Indigenous Medical Resources. The degree programmes offered by this faculty are designed to prepare students for recognised professions. Moreover, undergraduates can complete all these programmes within four academic years. These programmes are recognised socially and they cater to job market demands.

Students do their studies during the all four academic years at the Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology. There are 274 students in the first year, 242 in the second year, 321 in the third year, and 271 in the fourth year. Accordingly, the total student population of the faculty is 1,108. In addition, nearly 300 students have been enrolled for the fifth intake. Students are given the opportunity to pursue the degree programmes offered by this faculty which include the Bachelor of Science Honours in Indigenous Medicinal Resources, Bachelor of Health Science Honours in Health Information and Communication Technology, Bachelor of Health Science Honours in Biomedical Technology, Bachelor of Health Science Honours in Indigenous Pharmaceutical Technology, Bachelor of Science Honours in Health Tourism and Hospitality Management, and Bachelor of Science Honours in Yoga and Parapsychology.

The objective of these degree programmes was to offer qualifications that align with the demands of the current job market and societal needs. However, since the establishment of the university, there have been shortsighted and arbitrary administrative actions, as well as various instances of corruption and irregularities. Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology said that the faculty was established without a proper foundation, hence students have faced numerous issues from the very beginning.

“The university lacked even the minimum facilities required to establish the faculty. There was a severe shortage of qualified lecturers and professors necessary for academic activities. Although the degree programmes are based on practical activities, even the minimum facilities required for such training weren’t available within the faculty. Furthermore, subject curricula were arbitrarily revised in ways that harmed the quality of the programmes, and there was no approval from any responsible institution for internship training. Teaching at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology has now continued for nearly six years. However, not a single professor is attached to this faculty. Due to these numerous issues, serious concerns have arisen regarding the future of the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology,” said a students’ union representative. 

Faculty Students’ Union stages protests

Against this background, representatives of the Faculty Students’ Union, together with the entire student community, informed all relevant authorities about these issues. They also attempted to obtain prompt solutions through protests and by engaging with responsible institutions in the country. During this process, student union representatives had to face various restrictions imposed by certain heads of departments and some lecturers within the university administration. During examinations, 

some representatives were even subjected to unnecessary inspections. Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology pointed out that these retaliatory actions later escalated to the extent that some students were prevented from sitting for examinations.

Accordingly, in the face of various restrictions and challenges imposed by the administration, the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology Students’ Union together with the faculty students launched a Satyagraha (protest) campaign in front of the university on January 29, 2025. Following a continuous month long Satyagraha, discussions to seek solutions to the issues of the university commenced on 05.03.2025 under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister appointed an expert committee to provide solutions to these issues. At that time, the Prime Minister stated that the committee should submit a report containing recommendations and proposals regarding these problems within one month, that is, by 05.04.2025. However, considering the complexity of the existing issues, the deadline for submitting the complete report was extended until June 2, 2025. Nevertheless, it has been reported that by July 2, 2025, the Ministry of Education informed the Students’ Union that the recommendations of the expert committee had already been submitted to the Prime Minister. However, when students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology inquired from the university authorities regarding this matter, they were informed that a serious problematic situation existed within the university. Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology stated that the university authorities used this as a reason to delay disclosing the committee’s recommendations.

Although the degree programmes are based on practical activities, even the minimum facilities required for such training weren’t available within the faculty. Furthermore, subject curricula were arbitrarily revised in ways that harmed the quality of the programmes

- Students’ Union representative

During several parliamentary sessions, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Member of Parliament Archuna Ramanathan and Member of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekara repeatedly informed government ministers and members of parliament regarding this issue. Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology pointed out that, on every such occasion, the government party adopted a delaying approach by stating that a response would be provided in due course. Accordingly, although over a year has passed since the Prime Minister’s committee report, the authorities have failed to provide any meaningful response to the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology.

Department of Indigenous Health Sciences relocated 

Taking advantage of the government’s negligence, the university administration has further disrupted the academic environment of the students. In this regard, despite student opposition, on 20.03.2026, the Department of Indigenous Health Sciences of the Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology was relocated from the university’s main premises to a rented building in the Imbulgoda area of Gampaha. In addition, there are currently proposals to relocate students of the Department of Technology Sciences to a rented building in the Radawana area. In this manner, the university administration is reportedly making arrangements for the academic activities of all degree programmes under the Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology to be conducted in rented buildings located outside the university’s main premises. Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology maintained that although officials of the Ministry of Education were informed about this matter, they have remained silent and taken no action.

The first batch of students of the faculty is also expected to complete their studies within the next six months. Meanwhile, the current government has still failed to provide solutions to these serious issues. In such a highly problematic environment, the University Grants Commission has decided to suspend new admissions for the 2025/2026 academic year for a total of eight degree programmes; six degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology and two degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Indigenous Social Sciences and Management Studies.

Based on concerns regarding the violation of students’ educational rights and the uncertainty surrounding their future security, students staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Education on 27.04.2026. Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology stated that although the Prime Minister was present at the Ministry of Education that day, she allegedly left without paying attention to the students’ concerns. Due to the uncertainty surrounding their educational future, students have now initiated a continuous Satyagraha campaign in front of the Ministry of Education which will continue until they receive a satisfactory response to their concerns and until the committee recommendations are released. As of today, students have been engaged in this continuous Satyagraha for a week in front of the Ministry of Education, yet the current government has still failed to provide an appropriate response.

Many academics are of the opinion that the 16th state university in Sri Lanka, which was established for narrow political objectives, has become the most unsuccessful state university in the country’s history. Students alleged that authorities continue to jeopardize free education for political purposes while gambling with students’ lives. They question whether such actions should be allowed to continue. Students also queried why education authorities fail to notice that, despite the numerous issues within the university. Meanwhile the administration allegedly portrays a misleadingly positive image of the institution through social media, thereby misleading outside world. They further questioned why the Prime Minister, who speaks of “educational renaissance” while overseeing the education sector, has delayed resolving this issue. Therefore, students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology state that it is difficult to predict the number of future students whose educational rights will be negatively impacted due to the ongoing problem.  

Undergrads staging a satygrapaha (a sit down protest) inside temporary shelter

The undergrads of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University getting some media attention regarding the challenges students are facing

Undergrads take part in a sitting protest on the road

The representatives of student unions further stated that the failure to resolve this issue has placed the futures of approximately 3,000 students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, the Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine at Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine in a state of uncertainty. In this regard, the issues faced by students of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology remain unresolved. Student unions representatives also noted that the degree programmes of these two faculties have been suspended.

Government education authorities didn’t respond

This newspaper also sought clarification regarding this matter from Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine Vice Chancellor, Prof. Vasantha Subasinghe. “I am at an interview at the moment. It is difficult to respond,” she said. 

This writer also attempted to obtain information regarding this matter by contacting the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education through the telephone numbers 0112 694486, 0112 697133, and 0112 697269. However, no response was received.

When contacted for clarification, a spokesperson from the University Grants Commission stated that an appropriate official would be connected to discuss the matter and requested the writer’s phone number. However, up to this point, no official has contacted the writer regarding the matter.

Committee’s recommendation to be submitted to the Ministry of Education

On May 7, during a discussion held at the Ministry of Education between the Student Union and officials, led by the Deputy Minister of Education, discussions were held on whether or not to continue Wickramarachchi University as an institution.

In addition, although the recommendations of the expert committee appointed for the six courses related to the local Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology and their final report were announced, the written copy of the report containing the recommendations expected by the Faculty Student Union and other students wasn’t provided.

Attention was focused on the temporary suspension of new recruitments to two faculties, and discussions were held regarding the restructuring of those courses and future plans.

The students felt that the planned process being taken by the government and the university administration in this regard shouldn’t be for their own benefits, but for the betterment of the entire student community.

It was also announced that the committee’s recommendation would be submitted to the Ministry of Education by an independent commission, which is the University Commission.