Date: 11 October 2014

Type: News

Source: Colombo Page

Keywords: Protest, human rights

Oct 11, Colombo: Protests were held at a number of universities in Sri Lanka today against the assault on the students of Sabaragamuwa University.

An unidentified gang of armed men last night attacked the students of Sabaragamuwa University who were engaged in a fasting protest and 12 students were hospitalized with injuries.

The protest stage on which the students were holding a fast were set fire by the attackers.

Students of the Peradeniya University staged a protest at Galaha junction today in support of their colleagues at Sabaragamuwa University. The protesting students blocked one lane of the main Colombo - Kandy road.

The students of Ruhunu University protested in Matara and Galle today against the attack.

The students of Sabaragamuwa University held a protest near the Pabahinna junction of Balangoda and began to build the protest stage again.

A counter protest was also held by the pro government three wheeler drivers at Pabahinna junction.

It is widely speculated that supporters of the government had attacked the students of the Sabaragamuwa University who earlier protested the visit of the Higher Education Minister to the university premises to open a hostel for female students.###