The Government has promised a swift investigation into the whole saga of the sexual and mental abuse of a 15-year-old schoolgirl from Kotahena who later took her life. The Government has promised to take stern action against the perpetrators.
Investigations have revealed that the girl first reported that a teacher had sexually abused her in the school back in October last year. She has sought counselling over the issue.
Later, a tuition master of a class that she was attending had allegedly mocked her in front of other students over this incident. According to her relatives, the child experienced mental agony over this incident, which had apparently led to her decision to end her life on April 29.
Police revealed that the 15-year-old girl from Kotahena, who died by suicide on April 29, was allegedly sexually abused by a teacher at her school in Bambalapitiya. According to a Police statement, the suspect teacher has been released on bail, and a travel ban has been imposed pending further investigation. On May 4, the girl’s parents held a press conference, accusing both the schoolteacher and a tuition teacher of contributing to their daughter’s death.
Protests demanding justice for the student were held on May 8 at three locations: near the Kotahena housing complex, outside her school in Bambalapitiya, and near the private tuition class. The protesters called for the immediate suspension and arrest of a male teacher accused of sexually abusing the 15-year-old girl, which they claim contributed to her tragic death.
The demonstrators also expressed their anger at the school principal, accusing them of shielding the alleged perpetrator and failing to take action. As the protestors blocked Duplication Road near the school, riot police were deployed to the scene to maintain order.
The private tuition class owner, who was also accused by the parents for mentally harassing their daughter, appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department on May 9 and filed a complaint requesting an inquiry into the allegations claiming his innocence.
This is a complex case with no clear-cut or direct answers, but both Government and Opposition MPs who spoke on the issue in Parliament said the perpetrators of the two separate incidents must be brought before the law to mete out justice for the victims and her family. The girl’s parents met Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday to discuss the next steps in the case.
National mechanism
The Government will introduce a comprehensive national mechanism to address child molestation cases, Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Amarasuriya told Parliament on Friday.
She was responding to a statement made by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa over this incident.
“This is a very sensitive issue. We all, as a society, have failed. We must ensure these kinds of tragedies do not happen again,” she said, adding that discussions are ongoing with Women’s and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Paulraj and the Sri Lanka Police, National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and the relevant ministries to formulate a co-ordinated response.
The Prime Minister emphasised that a holistic and child-centered approach is essential. “This is not just about institutional failure, but also a cultural and societal issue. An attitude change is required,” she said.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had raised concerns about the handling of the case, prompting heated exchanges in the House. SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said that the teacher was only transferred after public protests on Wednesday, and that the school principal had suggested the victim’s parents move her to another school instead of taking action against the teacher.
Responding to this, the Prime Minister clarified that the teacher had been transferred before the protests and that a written explanation had been demanded from the principal.
“We cannot make impulsive decisions or reveal sensitive information in Parliament. The best interest of the child and her family must come first. The Government has pledged to take full responsibility and implement a coordinated and compassionate response to prevent similar tragedies. An official investigation into the incident is currently ongoing,” she said.
“Don’t politicise issue”
Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake also urged the Opposition to refrain from politicising the girl’s death.
Minister Ratnayake told Parliament that Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj had informed a female Deputy Inspector General of Police to look into the matter soon after she came to know of the incident.
He rejected allegations that Minister Paulraj was waiting for the child’s parents to make a formal complaint to the NCPA.
“She told me that she had informed a female DIG to look into the matter. The Minister had not waited till a complaint was made as the Opposition alleges. However, there should be a formal complaint as well. The student’s parents had held a media conference and staged a protest march near the school also. Now that they are in Colombo, they can lodge a complaint,” he said.
Public Security Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala told Parliament that the Bambalapitiya Police have commenced an investigation regarding the incident.
The Deputy Minister said that justice will be served in the right manner. The individual involved in this incident has been arrested by the Bambalapitiya Police.
“Bambalapitiya Police have reported that a tense situation prevailed opposite the school concerned in Bambalapitiya. We express our condolences to her parents for this incident”.
“There was a recent incident at a private tuition class, where an official at the institute had openly humiliated her in front of other students. Bambalapitiya Police has also reported to me in this regard and legal action has been initiated in this regard as well.”
The Police investigation report regarding the incident has been requested and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken as soon as it is received, he said.
“Irresponsible statement”
Opposition MP Rohini Kavirathna making a statement said. “As a woman, mother, teacher and the Minister of Women and Children Affairs and also the Chair of the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus, MP Saroja Paulraj made an irresponsible statement unbecoming of her duty to the State and Ministry.
Not only has her life been destroyed by this tuition master, (the Minister) has also destroyed the victim’s dignity even further by mentioning her mental health in an attempt to hide the real issue.
When I brought this matter up in Parliament, the Government ministers present interfered. There is a question if this interference was to protect this tuition master who contested the General Election under their party. This Minister should resign from her post for insulting the victim, if she has any shame or decency left.
A protest was held yesterday in front of the school in Puttalam where the accused teacher had been transferred earlier.
Speaking to the media Chairman of the Sri Lanka Teacher Service Union, Priyantha Fernando said, “Who is protecting the owner of the tuition class and the school master? There are photos where this person is with senior figures in the Government. We have information that there is also a principal from Anuradhapura who is being protected.
Instead of being transferred to this school, this school master should be in prison. There shouldn’t be any bail for such a crime. We are calling on everyone to raise their voice in this situation. Otherwise, child abuse and sexual violence will be normalised”.
Confusion
Taking to Facebook on Friday, Human Rights Lawyer Swastika Arulingam wrote, “Many of us have been through abuse when we were children. At home, in schools, in tuition classes, on the road, in public transport, at a relative’s place and on and on.
Children are easy targets for abusers simply because the perpetrator knows that most often than not the child will not report.
We all know how terrifying it is. There is a lot of shame and confusion. We know the urge to go and scrub ourselves clean with water and still the disgusting lingering feeling doesn’t leave. Victims will take weeks and sometimes years to speak about their experience. Sometimes they never speak. So what can we do about this?
When a victim confides to you about abuse – listen to her. Do not prejudge. Do not tell her ‘I know that person he is a good man. He would have never done this to you. You are imagining things’ Do not gaslight the victim. Never spread the story to other people unless the victim wants publicity on the case. All of us are busy. We may not be able to give all our time to help a victim. But we do not have to contribute to the damage which society does to a victim of abuse.”
