J’pura u’grads to protest against suspension of colleagues

January 4, 2012, 11:06 pm , Yhe Island.

by Dasun Edirisinghe

Undergraduates of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura would launch a protest against the suspension of 10 colleagues by the university administration.

Representative for the students K. Chandananda thera told The Island that the university administration suspended 10 students of the Management Faculty for allegedly organizing students against the government.

He said that this was the latest step by the Vice Chancellor of the University Dr. N. L. A. Karunaratne to suppress student leaders.

"Since Dr. Karunaratne assumed duties as the VC, nearly 130 students have been suspended on various grounds. The suspensions were finally lifted due to our protests," Chandananda thera said.

According to him, the university administration banned all student activities, including cultural festivals and arranged for a police post at the university to prevent peaceful protests organized to highlight academic and welfare problems.

Chandananda thera said that the university administration banned Students’ Council and all Faculty Student Unions three years ago.

"Maintaining students’ unions was enabled by the University Act," he said adding that it had been violated by the VC.

He said that they would launch a protest campaign with the support of their colleagues in other universities against the latest suspensions.

As the first step in the protest, flags will be hoisted in the university premises while students and parents will be made aware of what was taking place, Chandananda thera said.

VC Dr. Karunaratne was not available for immediate comments.