Talks to defuse tense situation at Kelaniya varsity
by Ananda KANNANGARA
 Higher Education Minister Prof. Visva Warnapala yesterday directed
the University Grants Commission (UGC) and officials of the Kelaniya
University to initiate discussions between students and residents living
in the outskirts of the Kelaniya University to defuse the tense
situation, following the clash that took place opposite the University
premises on Thursday.
“If the University authorities do not take measures to summon both
parties involved in the clash at this juncture, the matter would become
worse and it will hamper the educational activities of students in the
future,” He said a close rapport between the students and neighbours is
vital to stop such ugly incidents.
Recalling his days at the Peradeniya University, Prof. Warnapala said
students at that time closely associated with people living in the
University environs when organising various social activities.
“The villagers helped us in numerous ways,” he said.
Asked why students in the medical faculties of all universities
hardly take part in protest campaigns Prof. Warnapala said that those
students were professionally oriented.
He also said that 68 percent of the students in local universities
come from lower and middle class families and the majority of these
students get involved in various ugly incidents in universities,
especially with the backing of certain political elements.
He said if such incidents continue Sri Lankan universities, which
were ranked among the best in Asia, will be in the doldrums due to the
behaviour of such students.
Prof. Warnapala said many students are encouraged by political
elements who are among the university students to conduct protest
campaigns to achieve their demands over trivial issues.
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