• Cites arbitrary methodology for calculating related values  
• Pvt foreign scholarships, work stipends included 

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) rejected claims that the country has incurred an outright financial loss of Rs 30 billion due to university academics who breached their service agreements after completing postgraduate studies, arguing that the figure is based on an arbitrary calculation of bond values. 

This follows the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) flagging Rs 30 billion in outstanding dues from university academics for defaulting on their agreements and bonds on 4 November, during its examination of the performance and audit reports of the Eastern University for 2023 and 2024. 

However, university teachers said that the issue lies with the method used to calculate bond values, as the Government tends to include the value of privately secured foreign scholarships in the bonds. Further, if university academics earn a stipend while working during their scholarship period, 50 per cent of that income is also added to the bond value.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, FUTA President Prof. Ruchika Fernando said that the Rs 30 billion figure was inherently flawed, as it included ongoing payments, the value of the scholarships, and incomes earned during the scholarship period. "Only a handful of scholarships are usually provided for the country for academics to pursue studies abroad. However, in our country, the value of privately secured scholarships is also fully included in the bond. It is also really hard to find sureties to sign these bonds, as they are required to have high incomes. Some academics tend to resign and pursue postgraduate studies for this reason," he added. He also said that in some countries, academics work at the same university as assistant lecturers during their scholarship period, with 50% of their earnings also being included in the bond value. He further noted that although sometimes bond violations do occur, with some academics choosing to go abroad due to meagre salaries, many others are still gradually repaying their dues. He said that if instalments are delayed, interest is also added, while even in cases where an academic goes abroad and decides not to repay the amount, the sureties are held responsible, meaning that the country does not incur a financial loss.

University teachers have been raising concerns over delays in university admissions and meagre salaries. Against this backdrop, the COPE revelation has sparked controversy on social media platforms. The revelation was made by Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa in response to a question raised by COPE Chairperson Nishantha Samaraweera.