Student gang allegedly extorting funds from Mahapola recipients

From the Rs 5000 per month scholarship funds to the students of low income families, the organised gang of students are alleged to have forcibly taken Rs 2000 to pay off the fine of Rs.850,000 imposed on three students

A group of students of the Peradeniya University are alleged to be involved in an organised act of forcibly taking away Rs 2000 from each of the students of low income families who are recipients of the Mahapola scholarship financial assistance.

A committee of three persons had been appointed by the Peradeniya University to investigate into this matter. Sources revealed that from the Rs 5000 per month scholarship funds made available to the students of low income families, the organised gang of students are alleged to have forcibly taken Rs 2000, in order to pay off the fine of Rs.850,000 imposed on three students convicted by courts on charges of sexual abuse caused to a first-year student, during a freshers’ ragging last year.

Investigations revealed that a large amount of money had been extorted from the students and complaints by these victims had prompted this incident.