
SLA opens fire in Jaffna University campus; lecturer and student arrested
The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and police from Kopay police station entered the Jaffna University campus and opened fire into the air at about 11:25 am Tuesday. Lecturer of Physical Education, Mr Ilampiraiyan and a student, Gowri Senthooran, were arrested by the SLA.
 Mr Ilampiraiyan is the brother of Vavuniya District Judge Mr Ilancheliyan. Police inspector of Kopay police station, Sri Selvam, was also present at the incident. When the police were taking custody of Mr Ilampiraiyan and Mr Senthooran, other students began to protest in groups. Upon seeing the groups forming, the SLA threw tear gas at the students. This is the first time the SLA entered Jaffna University campus since 1995. The university administration condemned the forceful entrance into the campus. Following this incident, the shops surrounding Jaffna University closed and tension prevailed in the area. At the same time, Eastern University in Batticaloa also stopped functioning and canceled classes beginning at 11:00 am to protest the violent incidents that occurred on the previous day in Jaffna University. The students and university staff demanded the international community to pay attention to the atrocity of the SLA. The students said, “if the Sri Lankan government and the SLA continue their atrocities, we will take up arms.”
20 December 2005
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