The Inter University Students’ Council (IUSC) lodged a complaint at the Human Rights Commission yesterday against the police for assaulting students at the recent clash at Kelaniya University.

“We decided to lodge the complaint against the police personnel for violating the regulations of the Police Ordinance when arresting the students,” said the Union Convener Udul Premaratne. The students claim that they were assaulted by the police and that not a single woman police constable (WPC) was present when the female students were arrested.

A clash between the art and science faculties of the Kelaniya University broke out on January 5h, 2009. Seventeen students, including nine males, eight females and two lecturers were arrested while three other students were injured, as a result.

Police personnel from Kelaniya, Peliyagoda and Kiribathgoda Police were called in to resolve the clash. Tear gas was used to control the fight and later, special riot squads were called when the clashes proved uncontrollable.

The IUSC stated that they are also planning to file a fundamental rights case at the Supreme Court within the course of the week.