Over the past several years, the country has seen a rash of violent protests by university students. Some of these protests were against the university authorities, some against fellow students and some even against the government.

Recently, Kelaniya University saw destruction and disunity among its students when both arts and science faculty students clashed violently on February 5 leading to the closure of the University until further notice.

Both student bodies and the university authorities speaking to ‘The Island’ said political parties should not make universities their breeding ground of future leaders. Rather they should join together and improve the university system.

On February 5, two student groups of Kelaniya University clashed, while the incidents were repeated on the 26th, which led to the closure of the university until further notice.

Inter University Students’ Federation convener Udul Premarathne alleged that on February 3, students attached to the Science Faculty stabbed the treasurer of the students’ union. He came under the attack while hoisting flags for the union’s annual Pirith chanting programme.

"We later complained to both the Kiribathgoda Police and the university’s security division, but none of them took any action. As a result, on February 5, students of the science and arts faculties clashed."

Later on February 26, students of both faculties clashed once again. Premarathne said a group of science faculty students obstructed the proceedings of the "Bihidora Abiyasa" arts festival organized by the arts faculty.

The university administration had to call in police assistance to control clashes.

The police riot squad after failing to bring the situation under control had fired tear gas containers to disperse students. However, clashes continued in several places inside the university premises.

According to Premarathne around 25 students were injured during the two days of clashes, two of them severely. One of the students is still receiving medical treatment at Ragama hospital, while 13 students were arrested during the riots.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of Kelaniya University, Prof. Sarath Amunugama said there was no valid reason for the clashes between the factions and there was an internal investigation on the incidents.

The senate of the Kelaniya University had immediately suspended academic activities until further notice.

Students were asked by the administration to vacate the university premises immediately on the 26th, except for the Medical Faculty in Ragama.

According to Prof. Amunugama, the administration is taking measures to immediately recommence the academic activities but was unable to give an exact date.

Prof. Amunugama added that according to the university’s engineer, the estimated cost of the property destroyed is around Rs 700, 000.

"A circular issued by the UGC, allows the universities to demand compensation from the students for destroying public property. The students unions have informed us that they are willing to pay some of the amount," he said.

According to the Dean of the Faculty of Science Prof. Nalin de Silva, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna was behind the clashes between the student groups.

"This sort of violence has been occurring for the past 15 years and it might continue if the root cause is not found and rooted out", he explained.

Meanwhile, Prof. Amunugama and University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake said that there was a hidden force behind the clashes between students.

They noted that one reason for the clashes was the politicization of universities, while Prof. Amunugama added that external social behaviour has also had an effect on the rivalry between students.

Samaranayake added that there was a possibility that this kind of rioting began during the insurgency in the ‘87/’89 period.

Meanwhile, Udul Premarathne disputed the allegations and said the JVP was not involved in the clashes.

"We do not want to participate in clashes. Our aim is to create a good environment for the children and to force the government to have a good educational policy. If the ideas of the JVP were established in the university, there would have been a different environment," he said.

JVP Member of Parliament Bimal Rathnayake said his party was not involved in any anti- democratic moves in universities.

"I do not understand why the authorities have to blame the JVP whenever a riot erupts in universities. We always practise democracy in our political campaigns and it is followed by our student unions as well," Rathnayake said.

The Vice Chancellor told ‘The Island’ that the university is taking measures to control violence between student factions. He noted that clashes between student factions are not confined to only Kelaniya University; rather universities around the country are facing similar crises.

Meanwhile, Prof. Gamini Samaranayake explained that if the authorities failed to take action to control clashes between students, the future of the country’s universities will be bleak.

"This problem could turn out to be a disaster in future if the authorities failed to act now. It will disrupt the country’s university system on the whole, because it is like a disease that spreads quickly," he said.

According to Prof. Amunugama, the administration of the university, along with lecturers, has decided to adopt a long term solution to the conflict between the Inter University Students Federation and the Science Faculty.

"We want to establish long term peace in the university. This sort of incidents has been occurring throughout university history. So we have decided to take measures to stop the violence in the future. We also want to make Kelaniya University an example for other universities to follow," he said.

The VC said that the administration had discussions with the lecturers yesterday and had decided to mediate a discussion with the student unions.

"The lecturers will be performing an important role in this process, because they will be educating the students to make peace among themselves for the betterment of the university".

He also said the parents of Kelaniya University students will be educated about their children’s behaviour. The parents will also play an active role in establishing peace among the students.

Ministry of Higher Education Secretary Malini Peiris informed ‘The Island’ that the ministry did not have the jurisdiction to force universities to curb violence between student factions.

"We only have the policy making power, however, we are aware of on going violence in universities. There is a division in the education system in the country," she said.

Peiris affirmed that the government was taking all possible measures to resolve the university crisis.