The Students Movement for Motherland yesterday alleged that authorities last Friday sabotaged a bid to organise a discussion on the peace process and all other related issues at the auditorium of the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), Nugegoda.

A senior spokesperson for students, Nalinda Jayatissa said that they were able to hold a series of discussions involving both the staff and the students at several universities in the recent past. These discussions covered a gamut of issues. They have focused on the way the LTTE was taking advantage of the peace process to strengthen the organisation, both politically and militarily.

He said that they were given permission to hold the discussion on Friday. But it was withdrawn at the last moment owing to pressure from a politician representing the Colombo district.

He accused the government of preventing students from engaging in a democratic campaign while allowing the LTTE to do whatever it wants in the north-east including regular visits to schools where they forcibly conscript students. (SF)