The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is paying special attention to the safety of Sri Lankan students in Bangladeshi universities, in the face of the violent wave of student protests.

The MFA said that as of now, over 50 students are pursuing higher education in three universities in Bangladesh.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Bangladesh has already contacted the students and their parents, providing them with safety instructions.

Additionally, the three universities have been requested to pay special attention to the students’ safety and welfare.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that no Sri Lankan students in Bangladesh are reported to have been affected by the ongoing wave of violent protests.

However, the MFA said that if a request is made, arrangements are in place to repatriate the students as well.

At least 105 people have been killed in Bangladesh as police cracked down on unrelenting student-led protests against government job quotas.

The Bangladesh government has imposed a curfew across the country and deploy the army, citing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Press Secretary, amid widening student-led protests against government job quotas.

The prime minister’s office announced the curfew after an attack on the Narsingdi prison saw hundreds of inmates released.

The nationwide unrest – the biggest since Sheikh Hasina was re-elected this year – has also been fuelled by high unemployment among young people, who make up nearly a fifth of a population of 170 million.

The protests initially broke out over student anger against quotas that set aside 30% of government jobs for the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan.

The internet and overseas telephone calls have crippled.

Bus and train services have reportedly also been halted.

Schools and universities across Bangladesh have also been shut until further notice.

Reports suggest that attempts to end the protests with talks have so far failed.

(newsfirst.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newsfirst.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)