Ministerial probe clears former State Minister Arundika

A probe into an incident where two groups of students clashed at the hostel premises of the Ragama Medical Faculty in February has found that former State Minister Arundika Fernando had not involvement therein.

The son of State Minister Arundika Fernando was arrested in connection with the assault. He was among the seven suspects arrested over attacking medical students at the hostel of the Ragama medical faculty. One of the other suspects is an official of State Minister Fernando’s ministry.

A committee chaired by Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was appointed by the President to investigate and submit a report on the clash. Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Ramesh Pathirana were the other members of the Committee. The State Minister resigned from his post until the committee finished its investigations.

“The Committee has investigated the incident and prepared a report containing facts and recommendations. According to reports, the incident was not a deliberate and intentional act but an irresponsible act of third- and fourth-year students,” the Presidential Media Division (PMD) reported.

The PMD says: “According to the report, the students involved in the incident were arrested, produced in court and then released on cash and personal bail after they admitted that they had committed certain acts. The son of Arundika Fernando was arrested along with his friends without delay and legal action has been taken.

“The Committee has recommended that disciplinary action be taken against the persons in charge of the Coconut Development Authority for using a vehicle belonging to the Coconut Development Authority in the incident and that a specific programme be set up to ensure the safety of the entire university system to prevent unauthorised entry into the hostel premises.

The committee noted that Arundika Fernando, the former State Minister, did not have any knowledge or influence in the incident. He has also made it possible for the law to be enforced impartially. The committee report further states that considering all the facts, the former State Minister Arundika Fernando has no involvement in the incident.”