Sanath Jayasuriya denies allegations of him leading a mob to attack university students

Sanath Jayasuriya

Former Sri Lankan cricket captain and incumbent Deputy Minister of Postal Services Sanath Jayasuriya has denied the claims of him leading a mob to attack a group of university students.

Jayasuriya. who is also the chairman of selectors, refuted the allegations directed at him by the opposition Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, saying that he was only a part of the villagers’ march opposing the Ruhuna university students, who were against the government proposal to organise a yearly development exhibition within their campus in the Matara district.

"I am the area MP. I was only participating in a protest organised by the local residents against the university students. I did not attack anyone and was not present at the time of the alleged assault," the Sri Lanka Freedom Party lawmaker said.

While the villagers want the exhibition to be held in the university zone, the students are against it, as they are of the belief that it will disturb the environment and bring in needless expenses.