Uni of Peradeniya condemns the attack on former VC

The Vice Chancellor for the University of Peradeniya Prof M.D.Lamawansa has condemned the deportable behavior of a group of students who assaulted Prof. Athula Senaratne.

The Group of students entered the private residence of Prof. Senaratne the former Vice Chancellor on the 10th of December. They had physically assaulted the former Vice-Chancellor and his son and used abusive language against the family of Prof.Senatatne, including his wife and daughter-in-law, the VC said.

The statement from the VC said that the students had demanded that the professor's son be handed over to the students because of an alleged incident on the road involving some students and the professor's son. 

The students did not listen or control themselves even when the University security, marshals, and deputy vice-chancellors arrived, he said.

The VC also stated that the student union leaders at the scene failed to stop the violent actions done by the students.

The Peradeniya Police were called to stop the violence and the professor’s son was taken to the police station before admitting him to the hospital. 

Prof. Senaratne had to be taken to the hospital straight away due to the injuries sustained but the students assaulted the security officers carrying him to the hospital.

He said that this incident has taken place while the university doing its best efforts expedite academic programs that had been delayed due to Covid-19 and protests in the country.

According to the established norms and procedures, the university will take action against those perpetrators appropriate to their misbehavior, he added.

The VC also pointed out that such incidents will affect the university’s reputation, which is among the best five percent of world universities for its academic and research excellence

 Twelve students identified so far have been suspended and barred from entering the university, and a formal inquiry will be held.

The Welfare facilities such as Mahapola scholarships and other bursaries have been stopped of the students involved in the incident.