Clashes and disputes disrupt State Universities

Several State universities saw clashes, closures and conflicts this week. The University of Sabaragamuwa announced that it will be closed until further notice after several first-year students were assaulted by a group of senior students.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Udaya Ratnayake said academic sessions will continue only for first-years while all other students have been told to vacate university premises, including hostels.

He said 9 first-year students were admitted to the Balangoda Hospital on Wednesday night after a group of seniors had entered their hostel and assaulted them with poles and sticks.

“The University tried its best to maintain a zero-ragging policy for the new batch of students who came a few weeks ago. Both the Police and the University administration are looking into the violent incident, and disciplinary action will be taken against students involved in the assault,” he said.

A clash between Management and Technology Faculty student groups was reported at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura this week over a billboard erected for Valentine’s Day. The brawl ended with damage to University property and several students sustaining minor injuries.

The Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) took part in protests demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna citing that he was allegedly creating a toxic environment for lecturers and students.

FUTA Spokesperson, Charudatta Ilangasinghe said there have been threats to lecturers at the University – including the FUTA Secretary – and over 250 students – including a large number of medical students – have been suspended.

“Our sister union in the University of Ruhuna has written to the University Grants Commission and to the President requesting the removal of the VC based on complaints and Police reports. We request to follow the procedure and conduct an investigation before the removal,” he said.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said as far as the Vice Chancellors are concerned, there is a procedure that has to be followed. “We will follow the rules and we will act accordingly, because if I give into this now, next time they will want to remove the Deans and thereafter the heads of departments. And then we will be told that we can’t appoint a professor without their consent,” the President said at a launch ceremony in Colombo.