EUSL closes as 1st-Year students occupy Senate demanding hostel facilities

Academic activities at the Eastern University of Sri Lanka (EUSL) have been suspended until further notice, since Friday (20), due to student unrest. Authorities decided to close the university when 1st-year undergraduates demanding hostel facilities within the University premises, occupied the University Senate building since Thursday, demanding a resolution to the issue.

The Registrar of the EUSL, Vishvanathan Kandeepan told the Sunday Times they had hostel facilities for 1,554 females and 631 males at the moment. The new batch comprises of 1,400 students. However, if the EUSL was to accede to their demands, 2nd and 3rd-year undergraduates would have to be housed outside the university. “But they refuse this option. Some Final-year undergraduates are not allowing those who want to leave the premises voluntarily, and are demanding they stay back,” he added.

He pointed out that, the University did not have have sufficient space to provide hostel facilities to all the undergraduates within the University premises. "Normally, whenever students are selected to universities in this country, 1st-year undergraduates find their own accommodation at their own expense. But here, a section of the undergraduates are trying to create unnecessary unrest among the rest. We have already informed of the situation to the University Grants Commission (UGC) as well as to the Higher Education Ministry. It is very difficult to find accommodation outside as well,” Mr Kandeepan explained.

Meanwhile, the EUSL Council has decided to take stern action against undergraduates who unlawfully occupy University premises.