Sri Lankan Higher Education authorities decided to close the Sabaragamuwa University indefinitely as students protested a visit by the Minister of Higher Education to the university and disrupted a ceremony to open a new hostel.The police used water cannons to disperse the students protesting the Higher Education Minister, S. B. Dissanayake's visit to open the new hostel for female students.
The students staged a protest at the Pambahinna Junction along the Badulla- Colombo Road, blocking the Minister from entering the University.
They alleged that the new hostel for the female students is not built according to proper standards and it is incomplete. They said it is a corrupt contract.
The Minister at the meeting threatened to take tough action against the protesting students. However, none of the students participated in the opening ceremony.
The protesting students waited at the entrance to the University for Minister's return following the ceremony but the Minister had opted to leave the university premises through a by-path.
Meanwhile a group of female students forcibly entered the Sinharaja male hostel prompting authorities to close the University indefinitely.
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