By Methmalie Dissanayake

The manner in which the university students who were engaged in a protest march against SAITM on 21 June was the ‘most brutal’ attack carried out by any Government against the student movement in the entire history of this country, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

He said in a statement that it was very tragic to see a Government that came to power by giving so many promises to protect free education is now behaving in such a ‘barbaric’ manner.

“Medical students are not concentrating on their studies anymore and medical professionals also have given their final warning to the Government. Instead of finding a permanent solution to this matter the Government is continuously insulting and attacking these students and the professionals,” Rajapaksa added.

Moreover, the Government should sit down to discussions with the students and professionals if it genuinely wants to find a suitable and permanent solution to the SAITM issue, the former President added. However, it appears that the President and the Prime Minster are clueless about how to handle this issue, he added.

Hundreds of University students stormed the Health Ministry building at the conclusion of their protest demonstration/march demanding that the Government takes over the medical faculty of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM). The Police yesterday arrested IUSF Convener Lahiru Weerasekara in connection with the incident

Courtesy:Ceylon Today