Three students of the University of Peradeniya were admitted to hospital following a violent clash with a group of local youths in the Uda Peradeniya area on yesterday (15), with one student sustaining serious injuries that required surgical intervention, police said.
Among the injured is Rajitha Malalasekera, a former President of the Peradeniya University Students’ Union, according to police sources.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the incident occurred when a group of students, including the former Presidents of the University Students’ Union and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Students’ Union, along with several others, were bathing at a waterfall near the Uru Fort area belonging to the University of Peradeniya.
Police said the confrontation began after four local youths arrived at the location and allegedly harassed the students. Tensions escalated when another group of students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine reached the scene following a request for assistance, at which point the local youths are reported to have attacked the students using broken bottles.
The injured students were initially admitted to the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital. One student, who sustained multiple deep lacerations, was subsequently transferred to the Kandy National Hospital for specialised treatment. Hospital sources said the student required surgery and received 37 stitches for injuries sustained to various parts of the body.
Based on a complaint lodged by students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Peradeniya Police have arrested four suspects in connection with the assault. Police said the suspects are traders at the Kandy Central Market.
Further investigations into the incident are underway.
Three Peradeniya Uni students hospitalised after clash with local youths
Former President of the Peradeniya University Students’ Union Rajitha Malalasekera also among them
