University stabbing incident:

Suspect still at large

Chamikara Weerasinghe

Peradeniya Police is yet to arrest a suspect who fled after stabbing a second year student attached to the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Faculty of the Peradeniya University at the University premises on Saturday. The suspect had reportedly stabbed him and run away when the victim had tried to stop him from attacking a female Temporary Assistant Lecturer at the University’s Faculty of Agriculture.

The student, Athula Wickremasinghe (27) was admitted to Peradeniya Hospital with a stab wound just on the left side of his chest. He is in the ICU.

Meanwhile, Police have recorded statements from the Assistant Lecturer Meena Kumari and several University students who had seen the incident.

According to Peradeniya OIC Upali Naranpanawa, they are yet to identify the suspect. We are also yet to establish why he carried a knife inside the University premises.

University Vice Chancellor Prof S B S Abeykoon was away when the incident had taken place. Prof Abeykoon told the Daily News that he was in Colombo at the time.

The OIC said, Athula was attacked by the suspect when he tried to obstruct his path. Athula came to the scene upon hearing the screams of the Assistant Lecturer when she saw a knife being pulled out by the suspect who was heading towards her. She was on a call on her mobile phone at the time.

The incident had taken place between 6pm to 6.30pm on path leading to Veterinary Medicine Faculty near the University’s Wijewardena Hall, said OIC Naranpanawa. Many students had seen the suspect who is said to have been wearing a tee shirt and a pair of denim trousers. Many students told the Police that they can identify the suspect.

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Gamini Nawaratna said a special team headed by OIC Naranpanawa has been deployed to conduct investigations.