U’grads protest against attack on Jaffna colleagues

October 28, 2011, 9:29 pm


...Students will be given adequate protection to carry on their studies – Jaffna SF HQ

by Dasun Edirisinghe

Undergraduates of the Ruhuna University protested yesterday against alleged attacks on Jaffna university students during the last few weeks.

Convener of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Sanjeewa Bandara told The Island that a victim was still warded at the Jaffna teaching hospital with severe head injuries.Members of Students’ Council of the Ruhuna University marched to the university’s main gate, where they staged a demonstration for two hours.

Protesters carried placards with slogans such as ‘Stop violence against students,’ ‘Military is responsible for attacks on Jaffna university students’. They also hoisted black flags in the university premises.

"Two students of the Jaffna university were attacked by an unidentified gang on Oct. 13," Bandara said adding that when they protested against the attack the president of the students council had also been attacked on Oct. 25 night.

Bandara said that there were 55,000 military personnel deployed in the Jaffna peninsula, but they had failed to prevent attacks on students.

Security Forces Headquarters in Jaffna, however, denied students’ allegations.

Jaffna SF commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said that several outsiders bent on disrupting the university had been sighted near the campus during the last few weeks.

The Jaffna SF Headquarters was always prepared to come forward to look after the security and other needs of the people and would definitely help the Police to maintain peace and harmony, the Jaffna SF Commander said.

"Students will be given adequate protection to carry on their studies uninterrupted and no anti-social forces will be allowed to disturb the education of Jaffna students who suffered for many years due to absence of peace," Ma. Gen. Hathurusinghe said.

SSP Luxman Wijerathne said that investigations were on and those responsible for the alleged attacks on students would be brought to justice.