The Public Administration circular no. 46/90 issued in 1990 states that the four-year HNDA course as comparable to a degree in commerce awarded by a recognized university. However the Public Administration Circular 10/2014 issued by the previous government last year nullified the 1990 circular.
As a result, the students who have followed the HNDA course have faced difficulties in applying for public sector vacancies, according to the government.
"Disappointments have been occurred among those diploma holders as the demand from the private sector job opportunities have also been reduced taking this as a precedent," the government said.
Disgruntled HNDA students last week staged a protest demanding the government to reinstate the 1990 circular and grant degree status to the program.
As about 23,500 students from 142,000 students who qualify for University entrance are being admitted to state universities many of them who have followed the commerce stream tend to join the HNDA course annually.
Considering the above fact the proposal made by Minister of University Education and Highways Lakshman Kiriella to re-enforce the P.A. circular 46/90 with effect from 23-04-2014, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
