A meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and representatives of the Federation of University Teachers’ Unions (FUTA) was held this morning (20) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the discussion, FUTA representatives briefed the President on the challenges currently affecting the university system, particularly the delays and difficulties in completing degree programs on time due to various past issues, as well as the obstacles faced by university lecturers.
In response, President Dissanayake instructed the Federation to prepare and submit a comprehensive plan aimed at expediting the completion of degree programs, efficiently addressing accumulated academic tasks, and enhancing research and development activities—while maintaining the quality of university education. The President further assured that the government would provide the necessary facilities to implement the proposed plan.
The meeting also focused on measures to recruit and retain qualified academic and non-academic staff in universities and on strategies to improve the overall quality of higher education in Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, along with FUTA President Professor P.R. Weeratunga, Secretary Charudatta Ilangasinghe, and several other representatives, attended the discussion.
