(PTI) Sri Lankan Prime Minister D M Jayaratne today said students have become pawns of "bankrupt" political parties amid an ongoing unrest in several varsities against government”s move to allow private institutions.
Students in universities are demanding action to rectify administrative and academic shortcomings while are also protesting against a proposed Act to allow privately owned universities.
Jayaratne told a religious gathering at Maligawila in the north central province that the government was aware of the groups who promote student unrest.
Responding to an going unrest in several universities throughout the island, he said, "These are bankrupt political elements who cannot gain power through democratic means."
"They aim clearly to destabilise the country". His comments came as police used tear gas and made arrests of students after clashing with demonstrating students at different locations.
Students say the private universities would signal the end to the free education in the island.
In the southern city of Galle, police used tear gas to quell a noisy demonstration by the Ruhunu University students.
Similar clashes erupted at the southwestern Sabaragamuva University while two students were arrested at the Jayawardenapura University near Colombo for defying a court order to stay away from university premises.
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