Outside undergraduates to leave Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 17 May 2007, 22:11 GMT]
The Jaffna university undergraduates from outside the district are seriously considering leaving the Peninsula due to the deteriorating security conditions for students, University sources said. Escalating student abductions and the recent posters bearing a hit list of students have shaken the student community, and the frequent disruptions to lectures have affected academic progress, student leaders said.

The activities of the Jaffna Universities came to a standstill in the aftermath of the outbreak of violence in August 2006. Following the closure of A9 highway around 1200 undergraduates from outside districts left Jaffna by sea.

However, nearly half of them returned to Jaffna University in January after the authorities organized accommodation and other basic facilities to students. The same student are again considering leaving Jaffna either by ships or flights owing to the prevailing situation.

The University administrations expressed concern that another axodus by the outside district undergraduates will further worsen the academic situation, and bring into question the viability of the institution.

Meanwhile, undergraduates are expected to meet at the University Friday to discuss matters affecting students, according to student union officials.