15 injured in Jaffna campus clash

The science faculty of the Jaffna University was hurriedly shut down yesterday after a group of students of the campus set upon another group of students, Vice Chancellor Vasanthi Arasaratnam said.

Fifteen students were injured and five of them were admitted to the Jaffna Hospital. She said the faculty had been closed for two weeks, but may be opened earlier if the situation improved.

The incident took place when a group of students were staging a Kandyan dance to welcome freshers.

Special Task Force personnel were called in to provide security.

Deputy Inspector General P.P.S.M. Dharmaratna said the situation was brought under control and security was being provided to the hostels and students leaving the campus.

Police last night provided security to more than 200 students to leave Jaffna in buses. They were due to reach Vavuniya last night.

The students included those living in hostels and in private boarding places.

A heavy police presence was seen around the campus last night.

The Sunday Times understands that in addition to the police inquiry the university has also launched an investigation into the incident.

Some of the motorcycles and bicycles of the students were damaged during the incident.