Five suspects surrender over attack

Five suspects allegedly involved in the attack on a group of Sabaragamuwa University students recently surrendered to the Police yesterday, the Police Media Unit said.
They were later produced before a magistrate and remanded till next week.
The students who were staging a protest came under attack by men with poles and sharp objects late evening on 10 October. Several students who were taking part in the sit-down protest (Satyagraha) were injured in the attack and were admitted to hospital.
The students had been staging the protest inside a tent when they were attacked. The tent was set on fire while a three-wheeler parked in the area was also damaged.
The protest had lasted for several days over issues related to the university administration. Recently the students had attempted to block High Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake from entering the university premises for a function.
The Police had later used water cannons to disperse the students and clear the road but the students continued the protest. The Minister had later said that more force could have been used on the students but the authorities stayed calm as elections are around the corner. (Colombo Gazette)