• 29 complaints reported in recent years, several found baseless

In the wake of the recent landmark Supreme Court (SC) ruling involving the University of Peradeniya sexual harassment case against a former Senior Professor of the Faculty of Dentistry, the University stated around 29 complaints related to sex and gender-based harassment and misconduct had been reported in recent years, with several of them later found to be baseless.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (17), Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof  Ranjith Pallegama said the University was prepared to further strengthen its existing mechanisms on sex and gender-based harassment following the recent SC ruling, which issued directives regarding the handling of a past complaint within the institution.

He said the University already had established systems in place, including a Sex and Gender-Based Harassment and Violence (SGBHV) Committee and standard operating procedures that had functioned for several years alongside awareness programmes conducted across faculties.

He noted that increased awareness within the University had resulted in even minor incidents now being formally reported by students and staff. “Over the past few years, around 29 cases of different types have been reported. A number of them were found to be baseless,” the Deputy Vice Chancellor said, adding that inquiries were conducted where sufficient material was available to proceed.

He said the University investigates all complaints where evidence exists or where complainants and witnesses come forward and takes appropriate action according to established procedures.

Referring to the recent SC ruling, Prof Pallegama noted that the case related to an incident that had taken place several years ago and that the University Council had already taken decisions regarding the matter around 2020.

He said the University would now review the directives issued by the SC and present them before the Council for further discussion. “We will consider whether anything more needs to be done in addition to the existing procedures we have been following,” he said, adding that any further measures would be implemented through the SGBHV Committee or other suitable mechanisms.

He also noted that cases involving sex and gender-based harassment ranged from discrimination to other forms of misconduct, although only a limited number of complaints are currently under investigation. According to Prof  Pallegama, around five cases are presently being examined.

Public Relations Officer of the Peradeniya University Mahesh Abeywickrame said a dedicated gender-based portal had been introduced to facilitate complaints and that training workshops were being conducted for non-academic staff and students to improve awareness and strengthen preventive measures. He added that further initiatives are expected to be implemented following the next University Council meeting.

Meanwhile, University Grants Commission Secretary Dr  Priyantha Premakumara told The Daily Morning that although clear instructions and mechanisms were already in place, similar incidents could still occur. “We have a Centre for Gender Equity and Equality through which circulars and instructions regarding gender-based issues within universities have been issued,” he said.

Dr  Premakumara added that the matter would also be discussed within the Commission and that further regulations or additional measures could be introduced if necessary.