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Jaffna University ordered shut during 5th anniversary of May 18

Updated 17:28 BST

Students of the University of Jaffna have been told that the university will be closed from May 16 to May 20, covering May 18, which is marked by Tamils across the globe, in remembrance of those that died in the massacre in Mullivaikal and the rest of the conflict.

Meanwhile posters have appeared in Jaffna, accusing some students and academics of supporting a revival of the LTTE, saying that this was their last chance to cease those activities.

A notice issued by the registrar of the university, V Kandeepan, announced the closure and requested all students to vacate their hostels, without providing a reason for the closure.

Notice issued by the registrar of Jaffna University (Picture: @uthayarasashali)

According to Daily Nation, Jaffna’s military commander General Udaya Perera summoned university administrators, lecturers and student leaders for a discussion at the army camp in Palali.

Photograph of notice, warning academics and students. Names were redacted for security reasons (Picture: @uthayarasashali)

The Eastern University in Batticaloa was also recently closed indefinitely, after protests against the administration. Four Tamil students were arrested, after they were suspended for “unauthorised activities.

Eastern University's Vanthaarumoolai campus, has been the focus of protests and repeated closures, following an attack on Tamil students at a birthday party by Sinhala students, which left 7 Tamil students injured. (See here for more on TamilNet).

Jaffna University also saw a prolonged closure during November last year, to coincide with Heroes’ Day on the 27th of that month, with students defiantly marking the occasion.

Jaffna Uni students protest at continuing closure (02 December 2013)

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