Minister confirms incident

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Public Security Minister Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera yesterday (02) confirmed that following an attack on medical students within the Ragama Medical Faculty premises on the previous night, a vehicle belonging to a government institution and its driver had been apprehended by those targeted and handed over to the police.

University sources told The Island that goons stormed the premises following instructions issued by the fourth year students to the third year students. Sources alleged that goons moved at the behest of one of the third year students who opposed interventions made by the seniors.

Spokesperson for the Parents Union of Medical Students, Wasantha Alwis said that undergraduates captured D.K. Samaratunga, a member of State Minister Arundika Fernando’s personal staff, who carried an identification card issued by the Ministry of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms.

Alwis said the latest incident should be examined against the backdrop of the JVP apprehending two persons who threw rotten eggs and stones at a public rally organised by the party at Kalagedihena.

Minister Weerasekera, in a statement issued said that SSP, Kelaniya initiated an inquiry into the incident. The statement quoted Minister Weerasekera as having said that action would be taken against all those responsible, regardless of their standing.

Senior police spokesman S/DIG Ajith Rohana said that several suspects were taken in and among those receiving treatment at the Negombo hospital were undergraduates and included a suspect. According to him, a group of outsiders had entered the Medical Faculty premises around 11.30 pm and the police were informed of the incident in the early hours of Wednesday.