A shocking incident has been reported from Ranajayapura Maha Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura, where a Grade Seven student was allegedly assaulted by the school principal.
The victim, identified as D. M. Ravindu Sathsara, was among three students summoned to the principal’s office on June 24 over an issue that had arisen about a school educational trip. Without conducting any inquiry, the principal allegedly assaulted all three students.
According to reports, the principal struck Ravindu on the head and near his spinal cord before forcing the students to kneel in the sun for nearly 30 minutes. Following the incident, Ravindu fell ill after returning home, prompting his parents to lodge a complaint at the Ipalogama Police Station on June 25. The student was first admitted to Kekirawa Hospital, then transferred to Anuradhapura Hospital, and subsequently moved to the Narahenpita Military Hospital on June 27 for further treatment.
On the same day, the child was taken to the Ipalogama Police Station, where his health condition was explained to the authorities. Police summoned the principal for questioning, but she failed to appear, claiming to be away. When called again on July 1, she denied the allegations.
Investigations revealed further complications when the deputy principal and a history teacher reportedly pressured the other two students not to provide testimony against the principal. Due to the lack of direct evidence, police have referred the matter to the Mediation Board.
Adding to the pressure, several parents in the area reportedly surrounded Ravindu’s home, accusing the family of filing a complaint against the principal and demanding that it be withdrawn.
The incident has sparked concerns among education and child rights activists, who stress that the case reflects serious issues of accountability and protection within the school system.
