Forcing Kandiyan Dance  – Fracas among  Tamil – Sinhala students – Science faculty closed for indefinite period

A fracas ensued between Tamil and Sinhalese students following some Sinhalese student trying to forcefully impose Kandyan dancing in the already arranged agenda for welcoming Freshers of the Science Faculty of the University of Jaffna yesterday.

For the past many decades the students were welcomed with Tamil Traditional practices. This time the Sinhalese student insisted that kandyan dancing also used during welcoming procession. The organizers had refused it but offered to stage as a stage item within the hall.  When the procession was proceeding with “Nathaswaram”  and “ Thavil”, the Sinhalese students tried to introduced out-side Dancers into the procession.

This entailed arguments which grew into a fracas. Several including the Dean, The Student Federation leader Sisithran and a media man were injured on both sides.  Police was massed out, forced to go in by the Sinhalese students and they brought situation under control. While Sinhalese students were treated at the Jaffna hospital Tamil students sought private hospital fearing arrest.

The Science Faculty premise was also damaged by the Sinhalese students.

Following this fracas, the University administration had declared the Science faculty closed for an indefinite period.