Samantha Vithanage
Encyclopedia
Ovitigala Vithanage Samantha aka Samantha Vithanage (22) was a third year Management student of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura
, Sri Lanka
, pioneered an anti-ragging campaign
, who was killed on 7 November 2002 while in a discussion to stop the brutal practice of ragging
in the faculty. His death was a landmark incident in the anti-ragging movement of Sri Lankan universities which provoked many students and academic staff of universities to act against ragging
.
On 7 November 2002, the anti-ragging campaigners sat down for a discussion with the pro-rag JVP
controlled student council - General Students Union of University of Sri Jayawardanepura (Progressive Front), who defended the practice. Meeting took place at the premises of Department of Marketing Management. Midway through the discussion, a mob of around 200 JVP supporters armed with clubs and stones stormed into the room and viciously attacked Vithanage and others in the anti-ragging camp. The attackers stabbed their victims with shards of glass and Vithanage who was struck, fell to the floor. President of the General Students Union at that time, Sujith Kuruwita crashed a heavy computer monitor on his head. Vithanage was seriously injured. Pro-ragging students also blocked the vehicle carrying the injured to the hospital, delaying proper medical treatment. Two days later Samantha Vithanage died.
The University Lecturers Association of the Sri Jayawardanapura University (SJU) denouncing the killing of Samantha had stated "This inhumane student slaughter is the most brutal killing and the worst black mark in the history of the SJU." Dr. Vikramabahu Karunaratne
accused Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
- a Marxist-Leninist, political party
for the murder. General Students Union of University of Sri Jayawardanepura is a member of the Inter University Students' Federation
, a students' union
affiliated to JVP.
Later, Samantha Vithagane fund was created in memory of the slain student Samantha Vithanage. Although the death of 22 year old Vithanage subdued the rag at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura
for a while, it has not totally eradicated the practice.
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura is one of the Universities in Sri Lanka. It is located in Gangodawila, Nugegoda, near Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, the capital city of Sri Lanka...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, pioneered an anti-ragging campaign
Anti-raggers in Sri Lankan universities
Anti Raggers is a non-political student group spread over the universities in Sri Lanka. There is no special bond or whatever to hold this group together. Only their self beliefs of doing what is correct is considered. The major view of the students and lecturers in the group is to prevent ragging...
, who was killed on 7 November 2002 while in a discussion to stop the brutal practice of ragging
Ragging
Ragging is a practice in educational institutions in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka that involves existing students baiting or bullying new students. It is similar to the American phenomenon of hazing. It often takes a malignant form wherein the newcomers may be subjected to psychological or...
in the faculty. His death was a landmark incident in the anti-ragging movement of Sri Lankan universities which provoked many students and academic staff of universities to act against ragging
Ragging in Sri Lanka
Ragging is a verbal, physical or psychological abuse on newcomers to educational institutions. It is similar to the American phenomenon known as hazing. Sri Lanka is said to be its worst affected country in the world.-History:...
.
On 7 November 2002, the anti-ragging campaigners sat down for a discussion with the pro-rag JVP
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
The Janathā Vimukthi Peramuṇa is a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Sri Lanka. The party was involved in two armed uprisings against the ruling governments in 1971 and 1987-89...
controlled student council - General Students Union of University of Sri Jayawardanepura (Progressive Front), who defended the practice. Meeting took place at the premises of Department of Marketing Management. Midway through the discussion, a mob of around 200 JVP supporters armed with clubs and stones stormed into the room and viciously attacked Vithanage and others in the anti-ragging camp. The attackers stabbed their victims with shards of glass and Vithanage who was struck, fell to the floor. President of the General Students Union at that time, Sujith Kuruwita crashed a heavy computer monitor on his head. Vithanage was seriously injured. Pro-ragging students also blocked the vehicle carrying the injured to the hospital, delaying proper medical treatment. Two days later Samantha Vithanage died.
The University Lecturers Association of the Sri Jayawardanapura University (SJU) denouncing the killing of Samantha had stated "This inhumane student slaughter is the most brutal killing and the worst black mark in the history of the SJU." Dr. Vikramabahu Karunaratne
Vikramabahu Karunaratne
Vikramabahu Karunaratne is a Sri Lankan politician and he contested for the Sri Lankan presidential election.-Early life:...
accused Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
The Janathā Vimukthi Peramuṇa is a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Sri Lanka. The party was involved in two armed uprisings against the ruling governments in 1971 and 1987-89...
- a Marxist-Leninist, political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
for the murder. General Students Union of University of Sri Jayawardanepura is a member of the Inter University Students' Federation
Inter University Students' Federation
Inter University Students' Federation aka anthare is a students' union affiliated to Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna , a Marxist-Leninist political party in Sri Lanka.-Overview:...
, a students' union
Students' union
A students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
affiliated to JVP.
Later, Samantha Vithagane fund was created in memory of the slain student Samantha Vithanage. Although the death of 22 year old Vithanage subdued the rag at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura is one of the Universities in Sri Lanka. It is located in Gangodawila, Nugegoda, near Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, the capital city of Sri Lanka...
for a while, it has not totally eradicated the practice.