JAFFNA, Sri Lanka — March 25 — Senior Professor of Accounting at the University of Jaffna, Prof. T. Velnampy, assumed office on Wednesday as the institution’s 11th Vice Chancellor, succeeding Prof. C. Srisatkunarajah, whose term concluded a day earlier.
Prof. Velnampy, an academic known for his administrative experience, has in recent years been seen engaging in public forums associated with the National People’s Power (NPP), including attending some of its meetings.
His appointment by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, for a three-year term effective immediately, comes at a time when the university faces growing expectations for academic expansion and institutional reform, alongside concerns in some quarters over political influence in higher education.
Professor Velnampy, an academic in accounting who previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, formally began his tenure after signing official documents at the Vice Chancellor’s office, a longtime university staff member told Jaffna Monitor.
Earlier in the day, he participated in religious observances at the Sivan Temple within the university premises, before being ceremonially escorted to the administrative complex.
The event was attended by senior university officials, including the outgoing Vice Chancellor, the Registrar, faculty deans, council members, and members of the academic staff.
