Racists take advantage from clashes between factions in Jaffna UNI
The other day freshers were admitted to the Jaffna University. To welcome the new students a cultural item was organized. In order to obtain political mileage some had criticized the cultural event. The members of the Inter University Students Federation
in Jaffna,the Minister Lakshman Kiriella and the members of the socialist students union had cautioned that a certain group is acting in a manner to cultivate racial discrimination and to act carefully not allowing such matters to ignite.The event was organised to welcome the students in the science faculty. In accordance with past traditions some Sinhalese cultures and some Tamil cultures were adhered to at this event.It is reported that at the end a few students had not been able to stomach and digest the theme of the event had attempted to create a chaos situation.
The conflict situation had arisen when these students had threatened not to allow the Sinhalese item to be performed. This had led to a physical fight between the Sinhalese and Tamil students. Even stones and other articles had been thrown at each other.It is reported that about 25 students had been hurt and admitted to hospital.
The male and female students had been escorted to the respective hostels. As the attacks were fierce the students had been forced to be taken to Vavuniya
On the 17th instant police personnel and the special police task force were deployed around the Jaffna University. All members of student unions had appealed to all students not to stir up this situation to create racial discrimination.