The UGC had decided to announce the vacation after they received continuous requests from many undergraduate students in the light of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Speaking to the reporters, UGC chairman, Professor Kshanika Hirimburegama said, "The vacation would start on 9th November and continue till 17th November," after which the universities shall function as usual.
She further explained, "The decision was made mainly due to requests by many undergraduates who were unsure about attending lectures due to security and traffic plan arrangements made before the CHOGM. Moreover, there are also a significant number of undergraduates involved with the organisational activities of the CHOGM and its sessions. We did not wish for their academic activities to be disrupted as well."
She also said that during the 8-days vacation they had made arrangements for students residing in university hostels, to move out. So that the hostels could be renovated and cleaned up.
However, students are excited about the 8-day vacation. They are already busy with their plans, on how to spend this vacation.