'Instead of taking steps to resolve student's issues, thugs were sent to beat up Buddhist monks during the night'

Panama Ananda Thero, president of the student union, told BBC Sandeshaya that 26 student monks and seven lay students were suspended from the university following student campaigns against "corrupt practises" by the university authorities.

A recent report by the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE) has described the Buddhist and Pali University as the "most corrupt government institution," he said.

CoPE report

Around 300 students, monks and laymen, who marched to the higher education ministry on Tuesday also accused the officials as well as the university authorities of engaging in a witch hunt against student activists.

It has been the practice for years that many who first enter the university later leaves for other universities   University Chancellor, Ittademaliye Indasara Nayake Thera

Ananda Thero said none of the authorities were available at the ministry to discuss the concerns of the protesters.

"Instead of taking steps to resolve student's issues, thugs were sent to beat up Buddhist monks during the night and abusive language was used again monk-students," said student leader, Ananda Thero.

The university authorities, on their part, accused the students of organising protests without prior discussion with the university.

Ittademaliye Indasara Nayake Thero, the chancellor of the university also dismissed some of the allegations made by the student monks, including the delaying of holding entrance exams.

"It has been the practice for years that many who first enter the university later leaves for other universities," the Nayake Thera told BBC Sinhala service, Sandeshaya.