UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT HEAD STABBED BY STUDENT

Machete-blow to Head of Faculty at Open University from Law student for not accepting dissertation

 Mrs.Yashodara Kadiragamathambi (40), Head of the Law Faculty at the Open University, Nawala is still being treated at the National Hospital, having received serious injuries from machete-blows by a student in the campus following studies in Law.

 This attack was carried out by one Gnasunderam Surendranath studying Law while at the same time engaging in the Medical profession. He is a resident of Kilinochchi and works as a doctor in Jaffna.

 When he had come to hand over a dissertation, since the date of handing it over had already elapsed, the Law Faculty has refused to accept it and an exchange of words had taken place. The student had then displayed his anger to the Head of the Faculty with machete-blows.
 
 Several machete-blows had been dealt to her when she was on the ground floor where the argument too had taken place.With the blows she had received there had been serious injuries to her neck, chest and left arm after which she had collapsed on the floor. While Mrs.Kadiragamathambi was bathed in blood after receiving blows from the knife, the Law student had fled to a room on the top floor and had hid there for a long time. It was after that the security personnel took him into custody.

 The Head of the Faculty was admitted to the Kalubowila Hospital and from there transferred to National Hospital, Colombo.

 Preliminary investigations revealed that the student had brought with him a brand new machete to the University in his travelling bag. The wrapper of the knife had been removed only at the location. The police were able to recover the machete from that place.

 The student had swallowed some pills while hiding in the room and was unconscious. The police had later taken him into custody and transported him to Kalubowila Hospital. However his sick condition was limited only to a few hours after which he was taken to the police for questioning.

  University sources confirmed that because of a problematic situation that had arisen as a result of not having handed over a project report by the stipulated date, this youth who had been studying Law for a number of years has assaulted the Head of that Faculty.

  Though there were a large number of cut injuries on the body of Mrs.Kadiragamathambi who received serious injuries, Director of the Hospital, Dr.Anil Jasinghe remarked that at the time she was admitted to hospital she was in a conscious state. The Doctor also said that some emergency operations were performed on her.

  It is also reported that a commotion took place after the Head of the Department was assaulted.

  Mirihana police are conducting investigations.