Student suspensions remain

Sabaragamuwa University Vice Chancellor Prof Mahinda S Ruphasinghe said that the class suspension on 58 students was imposed for alleged involvement in ragging after considering eye witnesses and complaints made by lecturers.

He said that this decision was taken to correct the behaviour of students for the well-being of the whole society.

He said that he would consider reducing the punishment if students make a formal apology by appeal.

He said that only two students have handed over appeals so far and those do not contain a satisfactory reason to be pardoned. "We will consider giving pardon to the students who provide logical and justifiable reasons in the proper manner", he said.

The Vice Chancellor pointed out that several lecturers complained that the students started aggressive arguments when they were asked to cease ragging. Meanwhile, Sabaragamuwa University Students' Union (SUSU) decided to boycott lectures yesterday as a token strike of protest against the class suspension. However, the Vice Chancellor said despite the strike, students in Applied Sciences and Agricultural Sciences Faculties attended the lectures.

Students' Union sources said that the students would not apologize since it was a false accusation against them. The class suspension is imposed for a minimum period of six months which can be extended for a maximum period of two and a quarter years. It was effective from January 31 onwards. The indicted group also includes the SUSU President. Among the 58 suspended students there are 40 Social Sciences and Languages Faculty students of which 15 are females. There are 11 students from the Geomatics Faculty, four from the Applied Sciences Faculty, and three from the Management Studies Faculty as well. Parents of these students had also conducted a discussion with the administration and had promised not to let their children be indicted for bad behavior hereafter. DM