Students deprived of education till after Presidential Election

• Clash reportedly occurred between JVP students from the Management Faculty and FSP students from the Arts Faculty
• The university administration decided to close the university to avert aggravating the situation

The Sri Jayewardenepura University which was temporarily closed following a clash reportedly between two groups of students of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), is to be re-opened after the Presidential Election.   

It is reported that this clash had arisen due to a dispute between a group of students belonging to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna studying in the Management Faculty and a group of students belonging to the Frontline Socialist Party studying in the Arts Faculty.   

The university administration officially informed all students to vacate the university premises by 6 pm on Thursday.   

A spokesman for the university said the administration decided to close the university to avert aggravating the situation and that the holiday that was supposed to be given to the students next week for the elections was accordingly given from Thursday (12).   

The official said no police complaints or casualties were reported.  

NPP refutes involvement in J’Pura University closure

The National People’s Power (NPP) categorically denied media reports suggesting that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a key ally of the NPP, is responsible for the alleged clash at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, which led to its closure.

Addressing the media, former NPP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said, “Various parties are attempting to pass the blame onto the NPP, to which we have no connection.”  He added, “This is a clear sign of how opposition camps are agitated by their imminent loss in the upcoming Presidential Election.”