Reopening of Jaffna University delayed

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 January 2007, 17:35 GMT]
Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of University of Jaffna Prof K.Kumaravadivel, in a communiqué issued to the media on Tuesday announced that due to administrative difficulties the reopening of the university originally scheduled for January 22 is being postponed by few more weeks.

Difficulties encountered in compiling information about the undergraduates from other districts, arranging accommodation in private residences, were the key reasons for the delay, the VC said.

Prof Kumaravadivel added that providing adequate security for the students following the recent abduction and release of science faculty student Arunagirinathan Niruparaj and two other students from Inuvil, was another reason for the University Senate deciding to delay the reopening.

Meanwhile, campus administrators are facing difficulties in arranging accommodation for the 800 out of district students and to the more than 200 students from Jaffna Islets and Thenmaradchy areas.

Accomodation is currently available for only 400 students. Campus authorities are planning to rent private residences as accommodation for the remaining 600 places, according to sources.

Acting VC also has been co-coordinating with the Jaffna Government Agent to resolve the difficulties related to providing proper meals for the 1000 students expected to live in Campus provided accommodation.

Lectures at Jaffna Campus were held irregularly after the altercation with campus students and the SLA during the early part of 2006, and the campus was completely closed after clashes broke out between the SLA and the Liberation Tigers on 11 August.

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