Former Peradeniya University VC, son assaulted, hospitalised

Due to an attack allegedly by a group of Peradeniya University students, the former Vice-Chancellor, Senior Professor of Geology Department of the University of Peradeniya Athula Senaratne and his son Vidura Senaratne have been admitted to the Kandy and Peradeniya hospitals for treatment early yesterday (11).

Vidura Senaratne, who was receiving treatment at the Kandy National Hospital was discharged yesterday.Investigations have revealed that the attack was carried out after the car driven by the son of the former Vice-Chancellor had collided with two motorbikes belonging to two university students parked near the Sarathchandra Outdoor Theatre.After the car collided with the two motorbikes, it is said that a heated argument had ensued between the professor’s son and the students.

Vidura Senaratne had told Police that a group of students had then attacked him.

After the incident, a group of about 300 university students on Saturday night had surrounded the official residence of the former Vice Chancellor.

Based on information received by the Police in this regard, a team including Peradeniya Police station Chief Inspector Vijith Wijekoon had gone to the place.The Police said that a group of students tried to enter the house by breaking the lock on the back door of the official residence.

A team including the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University, Professor Terence Madujith and Chief Disciplinary Officer and team had tried to control the students but their attempts had failed.Professor Terence Madujith said that the university students had informed him that the son of the professor should bow down and apologize for the incident before the students, but according to the situation at that time, it was not possible to do such a thing.

“Vidura Senaratne agreed to come near a window of a room at the official residence and apologize, but the students did not agree to it,” he said.

At the time, a group of university workers had already taken Professor Athula Senaratne to hospital due to an alleged attack by students. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor said that the Police intervened and escorted Vidura Senaratne out of the house and took him to the hospital in a jeep. A medical examination is to be conducted to confirm whether Vidura Senaratne was drunk at the time of the accident.