Owing to the increasing number of complaints received by the University Grants Commission (UGC) over incidents of ragging and sexual harassment, the UGC has set up a Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) online complaints mechanism to provide relief including counseling, safety and protection.
In a statement by Prof. Mohan de Silva, Chairman of the UGC, there have been numerous incidents of ragging and sexual harassment reported to the UGC, which was a violation of the law.
The Ragging and Complaints Mechanism, first initiative of the UGC was established in 2017 for any member of the university community (students and staff) to record complaints regarding incidents of ragging, harassment, intimidation, bullying. The SGBV online complaints mechanism is a new imitative of the UGC which has been set up as a means for any member of the university community to lodge a complaints regarding incidents of SGBV.
Once a complaint is recorded, the relevant authorities (such as the Vice-Chancellor, deputy Vice-Chancellor, Rectors of the campuses, Directors of the institutes) are notified by the UGC. The UGC will give instructions to authorities in universities to investigate and support the victims/complainant from the moment the complaint is lodged.
The University is also expected to provide support in the form of counseling, ensuring safety and protection and support with continuing education or work.
UGC also instructed universities to provide protection and support to the person who has made the complaint to ensure that he or she is not further victimized as a result of the complaint. However all complaints once lodged to site cannot be withdrawn, however if they are found to be false or malicious they will also be subject to disciplinary procedures. Where and when necessary measures will also be taken to ensure the safety of the complainant.
Complaints can be lodged via
1. Access links from
www.ugc.ac.lk/ragfor for complaints on ragging
www.eugc.ac.lk/sgbv for complaints on SGBV
2. Director of the UGC Centre for Gender Equality/equity (CGEE) in person or in writing or phone by (0112 1237000) or email ([email protected])
3. Calling on 0112 123700, telephone operators will record your complaints
4. Email [email protected] or [email protected]