Newly sworn-in Member of Parliament, Dr. S. M. Ismail yesterday vowed to respond to the accusations levelled against him by Minister of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe on Friday, when he makes his maiden speech in Parliament soon.
Before entering politics through the All Ceylon Makkal Congress led by Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Bathiudeen, Prof. Ismail had served as the Vice Chancellor of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka (SEUSL) for six years from 2009.
“I have not received any charge sheet, it is still an allegation. But I will reply in a professional manner when I deliver my first speech in Parliament soon,” said Ismail.
According to Minister Rajapakshe, the former Vice Chancellor is alleged to have misused funds allocated to the South Eastern University and the facts were revealed before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).
“I think former members of the COPE can recall it. The COPE has given instructions to conduct an investigation into the alleged misuse of university funds.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is carrying out an investigation,” Minister Rajapakshe said.
It is learnt that based on the COPE findings on the charges levelled against MP Ismail, the Ministry of Higher Education is presently undertaking a full investigation.