The Joint Front to Protect Open University (JFPOU) today commended the reversal of the decision of the President to reject the legitimate shortlist for the Vice Chancellor position of the Open University of Sri Lanka.

"We see this as a victory not just for the Open University of Sri Lanka but for the entire university system in the country. At a time when we are witnessing increasing political and executive interference at all levels in public institutions from the health sector to the education sector – leading to their mismanagement and breakdown – the victory of this historic struggle marks an important moment in which the autonomy of a vital institution of higher education has been protected," the Front said today in a statement. They noted that this victory was the outcome of the solidarity of a broad range of stakeholders – academics, non-academics and students. "We held press conferences, wrote to newspapers, held a protest campaign and the Senate of the university took a historic decision to withdraw from the re-selection process after the original shortlist was rejected. However, this victory should also remind us that many challenges lie ahead," they said. They expressed their belief in the autonomy and independence of public institutions that need to stay constantly vigilant to the ever present threat of political interference in this country. "While we celebrate this victory we would also like to note that President has appointed the candidate placed number three in the shortlist and overlooked the candidate who earned the highest marks. The relevant provision in the 1978 Universities Act, while giving the freedom to the President to appoint a suitable name from the shortlist of three names nominated by the Council of the university through the University Grants Commission (UGC), also states that the UGC should send its ‘recommendation’ to the President," they stated further. They called upon all parties committed to principles of autonomy in public institutions to lobby the relevant authorities to amend the Universities Act and remove the ability of the President/Executive branch of government to unnecessarily intervene and politicize Vice Chancellor appointments. "We conclude with solidarity and gratitude towards all stakeholders who came together in this historic struggle," they said.