Sabaragamuwa Vice-Chancellor Professor Sunil Shantha dismissed

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken steps to remove Professor M. Sunil Shantha, who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, from his position.

Although the specific reason for this sudden removal has not yet been officially announced, reports indicate that existing administrative issues within the university and recent controversial incidents are the underlying causes.

Professor Sunil Shantha, a distinguished economist and administrator, holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Colombo and Master's and Bachelor's (Honours) degrees from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. An expert in agricultural economics, tourism economics, cooperatives, rural development, and poverty, he previously served as the Director-General of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

The professor, who had a long association with the Department of Economics and Statistics at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Languages of Sabaragamuwa University, also served as its Vice-Chancellor from 2017 to 2020. Subsequently, President Ranil Wickremesinghe reappointed him to the position for a three-year term on November 2, 2023. During his tenure, he focused on enhancing the academic quality of the university, which comprises eight faculties and over seven thousand students, as well as expanding research and community service activities.

However, during his recent term, various crises emerged within the university. Particularly, the sudden death of 23-year-old student Charith Dilshan, who was in his second year at the Faculty of Technology, in April 2025, caused significant controversy. The student died while staying with a group of third-year students due to the lack of official hostel facilities, and allegations of ragging were raised. The Vice-Chancellor appointed a three-member committee to investigate the matter, and subsequently, the University Grants Commission conducted a comprehensive investigation through a five-member special committee, recording over 110 hours of testimony. This serious incident even drew the attention of the Supreme Court, where the weaknesses in the university's mechanisms against ragging were extensively discussed.

Additionally, severe disciplinary actions such as the suspension of classes for 54 students from the Faculty of Agriculture, as well as allegations of fraud and corruption within the university raised by Members of Parliament in 2025, can be cited as notable incidents during his administration. Under these circumstances, it appears that authorities have decided that a new administrative change is necessary to restore the university's future operations to normalcy.