by Manjula Fernando

Colombo University Vice Chancellor Prof. T. Hettiarachchi convened an emergency deans meeting yesterday morning to discuss a date to re-open the crisis ridden management faculty which was closed after student clashes on Wednesday.

Following the deans meeting, Management Faculty Dean Prof. Randivela met faculty lecturers to convey the decisions taken at the previous assembly.

Three Management students were hospitalised in the clash which had erupted over a minor issue concerning posters; one student faction pasting a poster over one of their rivals. The second poster announced the forthcoming protest against private university issue.

The authorities closed the management faculty around 5.00 pm fearing more casualties.

"It was such a trivial incident," the Faculty Dean said adding that students had been manipulated by party politics which was very unfortunate.

"We tried to calm them down saying if they resort to violence it would lead to the closure of the faculty but they did not listen," the Professor added.

The re-opening of the faculty was not decided upon as of yesterday but the authorities said they would proceed with the inquiry and take disciplinary measures against students responsible for the clash.

The authorities have also decided to claim damages from students for the damage caused to the university property during Wednesday's clash.