2nd Lead (Adds photos)

Vavuniya Campus strike ends

[TamilNet, Saturday, 26 June 2004, 11:19 GMT]
Five day strike at the Vavuniya campus of Jaffna University ended Saturday after students reached an agreement with the Vice Chancellor Professor S.Mohanadas in the presence of Vavuniya Government Agent k.Ganesh and Vanni district parliamentarian Sivanathan Kishore, sources in Vavuniya said. The University administration gave written assurance to the students that they will immediately begin a program of upgrading the basic student and teacher facilities at the Vavuniya campus.

After meeting the students Vavuniya GA and other officials having a private discussion

Prof.Mohanadas who hurried to Vavuniya campus Friday on the invitation of Mr.Kishore, started discussions with student representatives on Friday evening itself.

With parties not close to an agreement, the protesting students forced the negotiating party from the University Administration, Prof.Mohanadas, Head of Vavuniya Campus Prof.Rajeswary Maheswaran, Vavuniya Campus Officials R.Nanthakumaran, K.A.Krishnakumar, and Head of Mathematics Department W.J.Soosairatnam, to stay inside the Garden Road campus grounds until Saturday morning, according to sources.

Mr.Ganesh, notified of the situation in the Campus, went to the Campus grounds with Mr.Kishore, and the group was able to reach an agreement . Students demanded that a written assurance be given, to which the University authories obliged.

The student body declared the strike to be over at 10am Saturday.

Vavuniya GA Mr.K.Ganesh and TNA Vanni Parliamentarian Mr.Sivanathan Kishore are listening to the woes and demands of the Students

Police officer is seen engaged in a conversation with the students