STUDENT ACTIVISTS THREATENED BY SLA

Military officials have threatened student activists from several universities and their families during the past few weeks, warning them to refrain from partaking or organizing any activities within universities, particularly protests.

IUSF Convener Sanjeewa Bandara speaking at a media briefing yesterday said since the universities reopened following the conclusion of the academics’ strike, they have been informed of a series of incidents where military officials had visited the homes of student activists and threatened their families and the activists.

“The activists had been

It puzzles me as to how the activities of the IUSF or its members should be covertly investigated or how our activities are a matter of national security. -Sanjeewa

pressured to refrain from participating in protests, protest marches or organizing any kind of student-union based activities within the universities,” he said adding however, most families have not yet lodged complaints against the threats due to safety concerns. Pointing out one such instance, Bandara said several individuals claiming to be from the Ruhunu University had visited the home of an undergraduate who is appointed as an in-house magazine editor at the Sabaragamuwa University. “The individuals had been inquiring details about him and his family from neighbours claiming they required the details to award a scholarship to him. However, the neighbours had felt suspicious because the undergraduate was from the Sabaragamuwa University, not Ruhuna.