Jaffna University undergrads continue boycott

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 January 2006, 15:48 GMT]
The Jaffna University administration is awaiting for response from the Colombo Education Ministry for its representation that undergrads are boycotting their classes since January 16 demanding assurance for students' security. University authorities said the administration couldn't provide security to undergrads, academic and non-academicals staff under the current ground situation.

In additiona to the undergrads, even academic and non-academic staff are also fearing to report for duty in the Jaffna University.

At a discussion held earlier the government authorities agreed to withdraw soldiers and deploy only police personnel at sentry points at Parameswara and Kalatty junction near the Jaffna University. However, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and police personnel, student sources said now jointly man these sentry points.

The Jaffna University Students Union had already informed the Vice Chancellor the reason for the boycott is the security situation outside the university.

None of the 6000 undergrads has attended lecture since the boycott, university official said.