Minister of Higher Education and Highways Lakshman Kiriella stated that there was no reason for the HNDA students to protest, since the government had already taken steps to resolve their issues.

Releasing a statement to the media today, he said that he discussed the issues of the HNDA students yesterday morning with officials and union activists.

The HNDA was given a degree level recognition by a circular in 1990, Kiriella said, and added that the former government removed this recognition. This government has promised to return this recognition back to the HNDA programme, he pointed out.