Kelaniya Uni. Science Expo ‘Vidya’extended to Oct.8-9
View(s):‘Vidya’- The Science Exhibition organised by the Faculty of Science of the University of Kelaniya (UoK) and the Ministry of Science, Technology & Research, has been extended by 2 days, due to a a brief disruption on Thursday (5).
“Considering the inconvenience to visitors and the organisers, the UoK administration decided to hold the Exhibition on Sunday (8) and Monday (9),” said Science, Technology & Research Ministry Media Secretary Mahesh Samarasekara.
‘Vidya’, scheduled from Oct.2-7 at the UoK, ended abruptly on Thursday (5), when 2 student factions clashed using clubs and stones, causing an indefinite closure of the UoK and declared “Out of Bounds” to undergraduates.
Tension arose between Students Council members of the Arts and Commerce Faculties when the Students Council of the Science Faculty invited the Security Forces to conduct a stall at ‘Vidya’.
A UoK official said they intervened and mediated between the 2 groups, and resolved the issue by removing the contentious stall.
UoK Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Lakshman Seneviratne said the 2 groups resorted to fisticuffs, injuring 8 students, which took place on Wednesday (4) night.
“We have decided to close the UoK and declare it “Out of Bounds” for both Hostelers and other undergraduates, as a measure towards easing tensions,” he said.