Students of the Sri Jayewardenepura University claimed yesterday that the Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. N. L. A. Karunaratne is unqualified for the post. He had the patronage of the present government and his appointment is a political one, they charged.

President of the Students Council Daminda Pushpakumara told The Island yesterday that he had never held any position as a Department head, Faculty Dean, Students Counselor or disciplinary committee member. All the Vice Chancellors before him had these qualifications.

"This VC was appointed at the end of last year. A few months after his appointment, most lecturers who held several posts like, welfare directors had resigned their positions. Due to that, one person has to handle several duties and it would lead to inefficiency of the university," he said.

Pushpakumara said that he is travelling around the country campaigning for President Mahinda Rajapaksa. And he is also participating in the most Television interviews especially on Poya Days to build the image of the President.

When contacted by The Island, VC Dr. Karunaratne said: "Yes, it is a political appointment. All VCs of the Sri Lankan universities are the political appointments. The President appoints Vice Chancellors and I can’t believe he is appointing a person who has UNP or any other political view for this post."

Dr. Karunaratne said he had all the qualifications to hold the post. "They are talking about experience. But, I think the experience they want is that of stealing. I’m working around 15 hours a day to develop the university and I don’t want to steal. These students who have been brainwashed by bankrupt political parties can’t understand it," he said.