Education Minister hits out at sacked NIE council members

Some former members on the Governing Council of the National Institute of Education (NIE) had violated both the NIE Act and collective responsibility as council members, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam charged.

Commenting on the decision to sack the NIE council and replace it with new members, Minister Kariyawasam claimed the conduct of some members had made it impossible for the council to function effectively.

He faulted these members for publicly speaking out about matters related to the NIE without first taking steps to try and address them within the institute.

“They first clashed with the former Director General. Even after his replacement, things didn’t improve. If there were problems, they should have aired those criticisms within the council and tried to resolve the differences, but instead, they made an issue in public. Discussing such mat- ters in public is not only a violation of collective responsibility but is also in violation of the NIE Act,” he alleged.

While Minister Kariyawasam did not name any former council members in particular, Prof. Jayadewa Uyangoda and Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri had publicly criticised the situation at the NIE and have even written to the Prime Minister outlining their proposals for restructuring the institute.

The minister further rejected allegations of financial irregularities at the NIE. He said there may have been such issues before, but no longer. “If anyone has any information of such irregularities, they can always bring those to my attention and I will take strict action, but no one has done that up to now.”

Meanwhile, the process of appointing a new Governing Council for the NIE is ongoing. Minister Kariyawasam would not be drawn into when exactly it would be appointed, only stating that it will be done ‘soon.’