The Hon. Mano Ganesan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I rise to bring to the government’s attention, through you, an urgent matter. In front of a prominent girls’ school in South Colombo, parents, alumni, social activists, and members of the public—irrespective of political differences—are peacefully gathered protesting an injustice suffered by a student who studied in that school and lived in Colombo.

¶ 02 The Deputy Minister of Public Security, Hon. Sunil Watagala, is here; I wish to bring this to his attention. Those assembled are not rioters, terrorists, or armed militants. They are seeking justice for the injustice suffered by that girl. I hear that police units equipped with tear gas and water cannons are on standby. I urge that such force not be used against these people. They are ordinary citizens seeking justice. Please understand this clearly.

¶ 03 Now, to the facts. Late last year, a 15-plus-year-old student in that prominent school was subjected to sexual misconduct by a teacher. Following the matter being raised, the Education Department, the Police, and the Courts conducted inquiries; the teacher was arrested and then released on bail. Investigations are ongoing. The parents, dissatisfied and concerned for their daughter’s welfare, transferred her to a school in North Colombo. While studying there, she also attended a private tuition class.

¶ 04 A few months after the earlier incident, the proprietor/teacher of that private institution publicly humiliated the girl before others by referring to the prior incident: “This happened to you at your former school, didn’t it?” As a result of severe mental distress, a few days later the girl jumped from the 7th floor of her residence and died by suicide. This is a tragic event that must not be forgotten. Hence, parents, alumni, and social activists first marched in Kotahena, then protested at the private institute she attended, then at her residence, and then by bus to the South Colombo school; the protest is ongoing in front of the school.

¶ 05 Education officials reportedly told the protesters: “This is a National School, not a Provincial school—go to Battaramulla!” This is absurd. Whether the school is national or provincial is not the issue. Provincial Councils do not exist now. Therefore, education officials, the police, and the relevant ministers must urgently and jointly investigate. The public are protesting because they are dissatisfied with the outcomes of the earlier proceedings and because they feel justice has not been served.

¶ 06 I request the government to immediately appoint a special team comprising police and education officials to inquire into this matter. I know the name of the school in South Colombo; I know the girl’s name; I know the parents’ names; and I know the North Colombo school. I will not disclose them here.

¶ 07 Let me add one concern: The proprietor of the private institute in North Colombo—the one who allegedly humiliated the girl—is an organizer of your party. Because of that, people have doubts whether justice will be done. Please ensure a fair, pressure-free investigation. We cannot bring back the girl’s life or remove the parents’ sorrow, but we must ensure such cruelty never happens again. Thousands have gathered in the rain to seek justice; the government bears responsibility. The Deputy Minister of Public Security is here; the Minister of Women and Child Affairs is here; senior ministers are here. Please take this seriously. I did not politicize this during the elections; I am speaking now with civility. I seek dignity, justice, and fairness—from the government as well. Thank you.