University will be opened if undergrads vacate, says VC

DHARMA SRI ABEYRATNE

The Sabaragamuwa University Administration Committee will reopen the University of the Applied Science Faculty, once the students vacate the University at Belihul Oya, Vice Chancellor Prof. Rohana P. Mahaliyanarachchi said.

The University was closed after certain undergraduates of the Buttala Applied Science Faculty forcefully entered the main campus at Belihul Oya on Friday demanding that the University administration shift the Faculty of Applied Science to the main premises at Belihul Oya.

The University will not be reopened unless the students from Buttala who had lain seige to the main campus in Buttala vacate the premises Prof. Mahaliyanaarachchi said.

These students are agitating to shift the Applied Science Faculty to Belihul Oya where there aren’t enough facilities to conduct lectures due to the lack of lecture halls, laboratories, libraries and common facilities.

The Government will allocate Rs. 296 million to construct the faculty building and steps will be taken to shift the Applied Science Faculty after completion.

The Vice Chancellor said the students should not be involved in matters related to administration.

Meanwhile, a student said the University administration was obliged to find space for lectures for Applied Science students at Belihul Oya.