Student unions vow to continue struggle
Some 1,500 university students were pelted with stones and metal pieces and tear-gassed when they staged a massive protest
The Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) has said police interference and tear gas attacks on a massive demonstration staged by university students will not stop the union from continuing its struggle to resolve the university crisis.
Some 1,500 university students were pelted with stones and metal pieces and teargassed when they staged a massive protest near the Fort Railway Station last Wednesday. Police personnel put up barricades and used tear gas and water canon to prevent the students from proceeding towards the presidential secretariat.
IUSF convener Sanjeewa Bandara said university student unions would launch a countrywide campaign to urge the government to address the longstanding issues that have plagued the university system.
“The tear gas attack is the government’s response to our pleas. It shows that it is not interested in developing the education sector but only keen to fulfil their selfish interests,” Mr. Bandara said.
University students urged the authorities to resolve the Z-score crisis, A/L paper marking, the Grade five scholarship examination muddle, demands put forward by university academics, the closing down of universities and other issues in the education sector.