 In March 2006 President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Hoole as vice-chancellor.As soon as he was appointed Hoole started receiving threats from various Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fronts including the People's Uprising Force who said he would return home "headless in a box" if he took up the position.Hoole did not assume his duties on 15 March 2006 and his predecessor S. Mohanadas was appointed acting vice-chancellor.