The 57 individuals arrested yesterday (23) for forcibly entering the premises of the Ministry of Education in Battaramulla have been remanded.
The group was remanded till the 27th of February after being produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court this afternoon (24).
Police said among the group were 48 student monks of the Buddhist and Pali University, Convener of the Inter University Students Federation Wasantha Mudalige and several others.
The students engaged in a protest and attempted to enter the Ministry premises when they were arrested last evening.
They were demanding the reopening of the Buddhist and Pali University that has been closed indefinitely at present.
The Ministry of Education issuing a statement said a group, including student Buddhist monks of the Buddhist and Pali University and students of the IUSF forcibly entered the premises of the Ministry and caused a disturbance.
The Ministry said concerns related to the Buddhist and Pali University were discussed last week with the Ministry of Higher Education, the Governing Council of the University, lecturers, the subject Ministers and the Secretary of the Ministry of Education.
At the meeting, the governing council informed of the steps that will be implemented in future.
The Ministry of Higher Education meanwhile informed that the governing council has been empowered to take measures regarding affairs of the University and accordingly noted that the Ministry of Higher Education has no concerns in resuming academic activities of the University at the earliest.
Accordingly, the governing council informed that following a Pirith chanting ceremony steps were to be taken to resume academic activities from Monday the 27th of February.
Moreover, the statement noted that certain students were suspended by the governing council while the Ministry has no authority to amend such decisions.
