Marshal (university)

Marshal in Sri Lankan University is an official tasked with maintaining security and discipline within the university. It is similar to the role of campus police, however they are not law enforcement officials. Their appointment is done by the University Act.^[1]

History

The units of Marshals were formed in the campuses of the University of Ceylon and thereafter continued in the University of Sri Lanka. They were units responsible for maintaining student discipline on instructions of the vice-chancellor and the senior faculty and providing security for university students and property. They did not carry firearms and law enforcement within the university was provided by the police.

After the University of Ceylon was dissolved, its former campuses became independent universities and maintained the Marshals units. These were dropped in the 1980s and replaced by private security guards who did not have the authority to maintain student discipline. Subsequently, clashes between student groups and ragging resulting in student deaths were blamed on the lack of disciplinary or actual control applied by the security guards. In recent years units of Marshals re-instituted in several universities.^[2]

University with a Marshals

• University of Ceylon (dissolved in 1972 to establish the University of Sri Lanka.)
• University of Sri Lanka (dissolved in 1978)
• University of Colombo (Western Province)
• University of Peradeniya (Central Province)
• University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Western Province)
• University of Kelaniya (Western Province)
• University of Moratuwa (Western Province)
• University of Jaffna (Northern Province)
• University of Ruhuna (Southern Province)

References

1. ^ Kotte Campus Vice Chancellor denies students’ charges
2. ^ Marshals back in universities, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon