Presidential Commission into Ruhuna undergrads death:

Students kept Ruhuna VC, Deputy VC under house arrest

Sandasen Marasinghe

Ruhuna University Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Gamini Senanayake said before the Presidential Commission regarding the death of Ruhuna University student Susantha Anura Bandara that the university students kept him (Prof. Senanayake) and the Vice Chancellor under house arrest for seven hours on June 17, 2010 at the university.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor further said the Presidential Commission presided by Commissioner and retired Supreme Court Justice D J de S Balapatabendi that he requested the Police to take both of them out of the house arrest around 4.30 pm. But the students went away around 4.45 pm and there was no conflict between the Police and students at that moment.

Questioned by State Counsel Disna Warnakula, Professor Senanayake said that he knew that a student was admitted to hospital on June 16 after a conflict. The Police arrested one outsider at 1 am on June 17 and another university student later in connection with that conflict.

He said that although he sent a message to the students instructing five of their representatives to meet him to discuss their matter but the students refused to do so. The students later surrounded the university administration building. At that moment the students did not behave in a manner fitting of undergraduates.

Deputy VC Senanayake also said a group of Police including a SP, ASP and acting HQI came to the university. In a discussion with the students they requested for a written pledge to provide a hostel within the university premises as there was no ample security for outside hostels. Although a written pledge was given to the students stating that they would attempt to fulfill their need the students tore the document into pieces.

He said the students kept himself and the Vice Chancellor under house arrest from 9.45 am to 4.45 pm. He requested the Police to rescue both of them from house arrest around 4.30 pm. But the students went away around 4.45 pm. The students continued to stay in the lecture halls.

Professor Senanayake further said Daluwatta talked to him around 7 pm on June 18 and said that Police had assaulted him. He received a call on July 11 which said a student was being treated in the Badulla Hospital after Police assault. Bandara’s mother later called and told him a student named “Bassa” and three other students had assaulted Bandara.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor said in evidence that he was informed of the death of Bandara later. He inquired of the Deputy Warden of the Meddawatta hostel as to whether there was a conflict at the hostel on June 16 and 17. He said yes and said that students were angry as they thought Bandara died by Police assault. He later requested the SP to act peacefully since it was still not known as to how the students would behave. The students held a protest in Matara town. Police dispersed them peacefully.