Concerns have been raised in Sri Lanka as a clash in the minority Tamil-dominated north over the weekend threatened to spread communal disharmony.
The clash took place between Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority students in the Jaffna University on Saturday.
An attempt being made to spread racial hatred using the clash at the Jaffna University was condemned by many groups and political parties, Xinhua reports.
The Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF), while condemning the incident, raised concerns over attempts by some groups to make use of the incident to incite racial hatred.
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) expressed its deep shock over the clash that took place at the University of Jaffna.
“We regret that several students have sustained injuries and the Sinhalese students had to be evacuated from the university and Jaffna as a precautionary
measure,” the TNA said.
The TNA appealed to all students not to permit any recurrence of such incidents or anything that will hinder reconciliation among
communities in our country.
“We call upon the students and the authorities to work together in creating the right conditions for students from different backgrounds to live and study together in the University of Jaffna in the future,” the TNA said.
The clash occurred when a welcome ceremony was held for new entrants to the University of Jaffna.
Some Tamil students had opposed the traditional Sinhalese “Kandyan dance” being staged to welcome the students, which led to the clash.
The IUSF said if clashes take place based on a race or religion it will prevent more important social issues from being addressed in the country.
The IUSF urged students to join hands against racial disharmony and prevent politicians from gaining the upper hand from such incidents.
SRI LANKA
