PM’s helicopter diverted as S'gamuwa students protest

18 January 2019 03:30 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The helicopter carrying Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was forced to land in an alternative spot in Kuruvita when a group of students of the Sabaragamuwa University staged a protest against his arrival yesterday. Originally the chopper was to land at the playground of Seevali Central College in Ratnapura.

The Prime Minister was in Ratnapura to attend a ceremony held to mark the occasion of the Ratnapura Hospital being upgraded into a Teaching Hospital. He also attended the opening ceremony of medical faculty at the Sabaragamuwa University.

According to sources close to Mr. Wickremesinghe, the helicopter which he was flying in had landed at the Seevali College playground as scheduled, but had to be removed shortly afterwards to another playground of a school in Kuruvita when university students staged a protest against his arrival.

“The students were planning to block the Prime Minister’s vehicle but he gave them the slip by going to Kuruvita and thereafter to Colombo by helicopter,” sources claimed. (Yohan Perera and Prince Ratnayake)

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Comments - 15

Ram Friday, 18 January 2019 06:53 AM

Cause for the protest must be looked into and fixed. Giving the slip to protesting students is not a win for the PM.

City Friday, 18 January 2019 08:14 AM

Ram, not with these students.they are backed by certain political parties.also most of their demands are unacceptable.

das Friday, 18 January 2019 08:43 AM

I think university students have an obsession of not allowing politicians participate in their functions. Another thing is that the student unions want to claim that anything new that happens, like getting the new medical faculty, is a case of the government giving into their demands.

Jude Friday, 18 January 2019 07:47 AM

If you START charging a fee atleast 50% Cost from University students, I bet non of these protests will ever happen!!??

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 18 January 2019 09:31 AM

Absolutely correct and it needs to be done without any delay.

Rasheed Friday, 18 January 2019 11:20 AM

Yes, if they strike, their parents will chase them to university because they pay from their pocket.

Huna Friday, 18 January 2019 07:52 AM

Looks like those student union members are angry that they received a new medical faculty

das Friday, 18 January 2019 08:44 AM

They want to say that the new faculty was opened because the students demanded it and not because of the government.

sobers Friday, 18 January 2019 08:06 AM

What a waste of time! without involving in studies they have become political stooges. No wonder, that leading private companies do not want to recruit these stupid fellows who bring destruction to the Education system and the country as a whole. Waste of public funds.

vasaliya Friday, 18 January 2019 08:17 AM

Protesting against future students receiving a good education. Whatever said and done the UNF had done more to education and health than what MR did in his 10 years. Strengthen education, public transportation and health first. Other developments can come when the country can afford them.

B.J.S.Dhas Friday, 18 January 2019 09:32 AM

I think GMOA don't like new medical faculty open, so they encourage Poorly student to protest, sabaragamuwa student's!!! don't protest for stupid, ask your old seniors (between 1999~2007 batch) how much they work hard to bring a Medical Faculty to Sabargamuwa university, there are lots of efforts and handwork is there to focus government to allocate 2billion in parliament(2018 budget), when this medical faculty open it is a mission fulfillment. it is also pleasure open by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe because he accept our proposal to allocate fund for it, students! don't spoil Sabaragamuwa universities name, focus your studies only not political activity!!

Sharon Friday, 18 January 2019 10:27 AM

First time I'm hearing a PM diverting due to a protest of STUDENTS. Imagine he was the PM during LTTE time. Ha. Ha. Ha.......

Ghan Friday, 18 January 2019 11:49 AM

Why these students had to protest ? This is definitely politically motivated protest. These university students should be completely stopped involving in politics. They are funded by the public to learn and benefit the country not to destroy the country.

Uni-buggers Friday, 18 January 2019 03:26 PM

These students are well trained to stage protest and hired by bankrupt politicians. No future for these type of uni modayas since they have become part of a thuggery losing all sort of sence. Let them organise an air protest...

sas Friday, 18 January 2019 08:18 PM

Let's start charging an annual fee from all university students.

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PM’s helicopter diverted as S'gamuwa students protest

Comments - 15

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