Library crisis hits Pera university

Library facilities at the University of Peradeniya have been suspended, with main libraries across seven faculties remaining closed, disrupting academic activities of students.

Libraries in the Faculties of Medicine, Science, Agriculture, and several other faculties are among those affected by the closure, leaving students preparing for examinations in a state of distress. Many students have reportedly been forced to continue their academic work outdoors, including under trees and on stairways.

The situation is believed to have arisen after the Sathosa Security Agency, which assumed security duties at the university from March 1, failed to deploy the required number of security personnel for library protection.

The crisis deepened after library employees declined a request made by Vice Chancellor Prof Terrence Madhujith to assist in providing security services using existing library staff. The staff reportedly rejected the proposal, stating that as public servants they were not legally permitted to perform duties outside their designated responsibilities.

A senior university spokesperson said the situation had arisen because the Sathosa Security Agency, which secured the relevant tender as a state-owned enterprise, deployed about fewer security officers than required under the contract.

The Spokesperson said the tender included specific conditions, including age limits and deployment standards, due to the wide spatial layout of the university’s buildings. The current crisis, he said, stemmed from the company’s inability to meet those stipulated security requirements.

source: The Island