Kelaniya University clash due to an 'issue of showing respect' - 7 arrested

Seven students have been arrested by the Kiribathgoda Police in connection with a clash between two groups of students, fourth-year and third-year students, of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya. Those arrested include three fourth-year students and four third-year students.

The clash occurred near the university cafeteria, and police investigations have revealed that the unrest was caused by third-year students not showing proper respect to fourth-year senior students. The police made these arrests based on a complaint lodged by two students from both parties regarding the incident.

Initially, both parties were unwilling to settle the dispute, so steps were taken to detain the suspect students in police custody until they could be produced before the court. However, after a discussion between the two groups while in custody, they agreed to resolve the dispute. Following this, and after informing police officers, the seven students were released on police bail.

Under the instructions of Kiribathgoda Police Station OIC Chief Police Inspector K. A. B. Abeyratne, a team of police officers, including OIC of the Various Complaints Investigation Unit Police Inspector Liyanage, conducted further investigations into this student clash.