• Notes outsiders entering University 
• Lecturers call for disciplinary, legal action  

Although the Inter-University Students' Federation (IUSF) and the representatives of the Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) have demanded that legal action be taken against the Police officers who allegedly forcibly entered and tear gassed the University of Colombo premises during the protest organised by the IUSF on Tuesday (7), the Police stated that its officers, in special cases, are able to enter any premise even without permission.

Following the incident of a group of Police officers having entered the University premises in the evening of Tuesday, FUTA Media Spokesman, Dr. Nadeesh de Silva, speaking to the media, said that an immediate clarification should be made by the relevant authorities regarding the incident. Noting that the Police, as per the relevant provisions of the Police Ordinance and the Criminal Procedure Code, could enter only two forms of locations, namely, a house and a place of business, without a warrant, he said that the Police do not have any power to enter a university. 

“Universities are governed by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The Student Charter issued by the UGC in 2012 clearly mentions those who enter universities without permission. It applies to students, parents, the public and others. The UGC states in it that legal action can be taken against those who enter university premises without permission. That is why we say that the Police cannot enter an educational institution in this way. This incident is a foreshadowing of a situation similar to those which took place in 1971, 1988 and 1989 (a reference to anti-Government riots and the Governments' subsequent actions to control them).” 

Speaking further, Dr. de Silva said that they expect the administration of the University and the UGC to take necessary steps regarding the incident. He said that the relevant authorities should initiate disciplinary action against the Police officers who entered the University premises, adding that they should be brought before the Courts too. He also said that all University teachers, parents, trade unions and the general public should stand up against such acts of the Police, as they reflect the emergence of a tragic situation in the future.

Meanwhile, the Arts Faculty Teachers' Association (AFTA) of the same University had also issued a statement on the incident, which read: “The protest organised by the IUSF was attacked while passing our Faculty. The Police then fired multiple tear gas canisters over the fence, into the University premises, severely affecting large numbers of students who were engaged in various academic and administrative activities. The Police then forcibly entered the Faculty premises, baton charging protestors as well as numerous students who had been uninvolved with the protest. Condemning the acts of the Police, the AFTA stands with peaceful protestors in asserting the people's right to assembly, movement, speech and dissent and urges to conduct an impartial investigation.”

Issuing a statement regarding the same, the Law Teachers of the Faculty of Law of the same University, stated: “We strongly condemn the inhumane, degrading, and violent attacks that took place within and in the vicinity of the University premises. This attack by the Police and the Riot Control Unit using tear gas left several students seriously injured while posing a threat to the other members of the University community. As those who are committed to upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to all members of the society, we condemn the violation of the right to engage in peaceful protests. We deplore the violation of the sanctity of the University premises as a venue for the legitimate expression of ideas.”

When contacted by The Daily Morning to inquire about the matter, Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police and Attorney-at-Law, Nihal Thalduwa said that the Police does not need a warrant to enter a particular premise in a special case such as a protest which may cause violence. In such an event, he said that the Police are authorised to take necessary steps to control the situation. 

“In every case, it is not possible for the Police to obtain warrants to enter a certain premise. The Police officers have only entered the University premises for a few minutes on Tuesday. What about the other outsiders who entered the premises? There were many protestors who had no connection with the University. Action will then have to be taken against them too," he noted.

The protest held by the IUSF on Tuesday based on a number of demands including the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, the release of student activists arrested for what the IUSF claims to be unfair reasons, and the holding of the Local Government election as scheduled, was met with tear gas and water cannon attacks by the Police in the area surrounding the said University. When the protest was being attacked by the Police with tear gas and water cannons, the protestors had entered the University premises, after which a group of Police and Anti Riot Unit officers had also entered and allegedly attacked several protestors.