The Sabaragamuwa University has been closed indefinitely as students protested a visit by the Minister of Higher Education to the university to open a new hostel.

The students staged a protest at the Pambahinna Junction along the Badulla- Colombo Road, blocking the Minister from entering the University. They alleged that the new hostel for the female students is not built according to proper standards. The police used water cannons to disperse the students.

At the meeting Dissanayake threatened to take tough action against the protesting students. However, none of the students participated in the opening ceremony.

The protesting students reportedly waited at the entrance to the University for Minister's return following the ceremony but the Minister had opted to leave the university premises through a by-path.