MR tells ministers to inquire into school girl arrest

7 February 2013 10:31 am - 66 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Cabinet media spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said today the President had instructed the Ministers of Education and Justice to inquire into the case of the 13-year-old schoolgirl who was arrested for stealing 10 coconuts.

She is alleged to have stolen the coconuts to raise Rs.800 that her school authorities had asked for to paint the classroom walls. She was yesterday released on a surety bail of Rs.50,000 by the Horana Acting Magistrate Manel Gunatilake.

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Comments - 66

Mukatiyaa Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:14 PM

What a farce. We need a coconut thief investigation minister.

anand Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

we citizens of sri lanka are directly responsible for this...we are doing very well as a civil society heh heh via DM Android App

Elakiri Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

The policemen who arrested must be the real lunatics. The judge who passed the verdict to release the kid on bail must be a another lunatic. I feel really sorry for the kid. #ElakiriSriLanka via DM Android App

hussein Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

Hon CJ pls ask Sec of JSC to look into the action of the acting magistrate who set such high bail via DM Android App

Lucky Weeramantry Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:24 PM

There May Be Shortage Of Coconuts

Lucky Weeramantry Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:23 PM

Where Is The Minister For Coconuts.No Response

Lucky Weeramantry Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:21 PM

Disgusting! What About The Bribe Kings in The Government. Don't They Have Un Declared Money. Poor Innocent People

hrm Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:19 PM

50000 bail for stealing 8 coconuts? even murders come out with same amount.

wild Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:19 PM

SHAME SHAME SHAME on POLICE, LAWYERS and JUDGE !! Minors should be warned and released !!

MIG-FROM_DUBAI Thursday, 07 February 2013 03:09 PM

Dear, Acting Magistrate, 50,000 is too much, compared to the penalty imposed on Murderers & Rapists. I fear that, you also may be impeached.

Lucky Weeramantry Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:16 PM

What About People Who Dash Coconuts. It's A Bigger Crime Than Stealing Coconuts, Because Stolen Coconuts Can Be Used Up. Nutty Professors

ramkumar Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:12 PM

Stern action be taken on the school authority, who demanded money from students/parents Concerned person should be jailed for 10 years. and pension and be removed from the job.. What is the meaning of free education.

ravi seneviratne Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 PM

its a shame on the magistrate to insult this kid of 13 years , she will have to live with all the insults for the rest of her life .what he should have done was to summon the school authorities and gien a lashing for demanding money from poor childred

buffaloa citizen Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:57 AM

He does not care, today he leaves with a plane load of sychophants to India, all holiday on public money.

Ranjith Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:53 AM

Why, do you think Bandula has brought down the price of a coconut to Rs.10.

samara Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:55 AM

oh, like awaken from dreams...yes, not all are getting 4000$ p.c

buffaloa citizen Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:49 AM

Oh what a pity if all these you refer are just part of the culture of MR.

buffaloa citizen Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:49 AM

Why? because his justice system arrests minors and that too a female, then places them in remand custody and places bail of Rs. 50,000 for her release....while a politician in tangalle shot dead a forieghner and raped his girl friend is set free, another fellow ties a state employee to a tree in front of TV cameras and was never questioned or arrested, another who goes to UN and officially claims Ekneligoda is living a luxury life abroad and then he is rewarded the post of CJ.

Nithya Thursday, 07 February 2013 04:29 PM

If the child could not find Rs.800 how will she find Rs.50000?
For economically challeged people misery has become a way of life

Robinson Friday, 08 February 2013 12:00 AM

psychological education is important at this point to each students in the nation. via DM Android App

Ash Friday, 08 February 2013 12:00 AM

if a little girl steals a few coconuts, you punish her in the good old fashion with a cane and teach her that stealing is wrong. what moron decided to ARREST her? school authorities, the people who complaiined to the police, and the police officers who arrested her should be stoned for being such stupid morons via DM Android App

dilanda Friday, 08 February 2013 12:00 AM

50, 000 bail.? she should have killed somebody and walked oit for a cheeper bail.. The law it self is there to help the crupt and corner the poor.. via DM Android App

Ashraff Nazim Friday, 08 February 2013 05:18 AM

The Principal should have been arrested and not the schoolgirl

coconut Friday, 08 February 2013 06:15 AM

what will happen those who stealing government money

shiro Friday, 08 February 2013 09:28 AM

I just wonder who gave this judgement....shame on his decision....go hound the politicians & big wigs who do all wrong,not a little poor girl stealing 10 coconuts...!! He is not competent to be in the judicial seat.

Hurahh ! Friday, 08 February 2013 10:06 AM

Not exactly, I am seriously thinking that the Judge who enforced the bail is totally out of his beans. Common ! Isn't their laws to protect minors and where is the spirit of the law as oppose to letter of law. We see the spirits flying high when it comes to ministers cases.

victim Friday, 08 February 2013 01:18 PM

Nothing. Are you still living in Sri Lanka?

Vik Saturday, 09 February 2013 12:09 AM

Murderers go Scott free. Minors arrested for steeling coconuts to pay school fees!!! 50K bail....these can't be normal coconuts. Jaya wewa! Loken uthum rata lankawai.......

Lucky Weeramantry Saturday, 09 February 2013 01:30 AM

Appoint A Parliament Select Committee headed By Yapa To Look Into The Matter.

Lucky Weeramantry Saturday, 09 February 2013 01:36 AM

Hope She Won't Be Sentenced To Life In Prison For Stealing 10 Coconuts

Lucky Weeramantry Saturday, 09 February 2013 01:40 AM

Let Her Enjoy The Coconuts, This Is Some Fun For The Younger Generation.

weerasinghe Saturday, 09 February 2013 04:05 AM

It's in the same country we see people offering "Dansal". Is everything a show?

Humpty Monday, 11 February 2013 08:05 AM

Probably counting his coconuts!!!!!!

jayantha silva Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:51 AM

School children are following the example set by politicians. What better can you expect ?

Duminda Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:00 AM

what a shame...

Early Bird Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:00 AM

People live hand to mouth with Bandula's 2500. Schools should abstain from asking money. But government and minister are at fault here for two reason by not providing enough money for repairs and not monitoring activities of teachers.

Justice Seeker Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:02 AM

Is it all just for 800 bucks? oh god.

kaputakukula Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:59 AM

If it is true that the student stole the coconuts to raise the money demanded by the school then IS IT NOT THE SCHOOL THAT IS RESPONSIBLE AND GUILTY OF TEMPTING THE STUDENT (indirectly) TO STEAL? The way the schools demand financial contributions from parents in spite of all the sky rocketing unbearable almost daily overnight price increase what can this and similar children do other than STEALING and enter into other immoral acts?

sudu seeya Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:00 AM

Coconuts ! should've bailed on Rs.10

GLADSOME Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:56 AM

MIRACLE OF ASIA

Apsara Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:55 AM

Pathetic situation. No one in entire Horana electorate to help this poor girl to pay her school charges. Police men and judges should investigate the scenario behind her act prior to jump in to arrest her and put her behind the bar.

Ash Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:52 AM

13 Year old arrested for stealing coconuts.....while we have bucket loads of rapist, drug loads, people stealing public funds etc on the loose........police really need to get their priorities right

Laminate Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:01 AM

What about the politicians, who are stealing Millions?

ceylonese Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

a silly case via DM Android App

Hifra Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:43 AM

Well done Mr.President.

Dera Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:40 AM

There are arrests of many thugs and smugglers which MR has to look in with a higher priority than these.

weha Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:42 AM

people cannot even find money to feed families while you people enjoy all the luxuries.

hina ina Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:39 AM

are you serious?

i always thought minors had to be treated as minors when it comes to such cases. can minors be arrested?

shouldn't cases related to minors be attended to by the women and children's bureau?

Kahanthie Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:39 AM

Thanks MR.

malkanthi Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:41 AM

Thank you President for the sympathy towards this girl. Poor girl and wicked, heartless demand by teachers.

N.Bandara Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:37 AM

What a shame!!!! Children are made to steal so that school authorities make a buck out of these collections! also, why such a hefty bail!

senesh Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:09 AM

poor girl those who do all the worse things are living with VIP facilities.

Liyakath Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:09 AM

My God ! Sack the school authorities first. I can't control my emotions.

Dhammika Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:11 AM

School authorities who collect money should be punished.There should be a slandered procedure in accepting donations with out force

IHM Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:13 AM

Arrest for 10 Coconuts? , how about stealing millions of 10s of public money by MPs and others ...
What a shame ....

School boy Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:00 AM

What surety amount for 10 nuts. Hats off for our justice system. via DM Android App

Yehiya Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:27 AM

This is totally school corruption plan. School mafia is very dangerous.

Game Kolla Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:28 AM

10 coconut is about Rs 350/00.... what about millions who played out public funds in various government institutions?....This is a mad...mad...mad country...we villagers are suffering while elite class enjoying with duty free racing cars.

SQF Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:29 AM

This news is a real eye-opener. Most schools collect money from students unnecessarily.

perumal Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:31 AM

MR must realize that no one in this country now can survive without stealing. We all survive by a miracle; may be an Asian miracle.

Labby Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:31 AM

For a street prostitute the charge is only 10 rupees whereas for a poor school girl who needed a few coconuts to avoid embarrassment in class the surety bond is 50,000/-. ... And we call this place a paradise !!

saradiyal Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:36 AM

stealing a coconut is a crime in this country not stealing billions

Saman Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:40 AM

Government not provide enough funds for Schools. So schools need to find funds for their paining work. Real culprit is the government . Thanks Mr. President !

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:45 AM

"Les Miserables" - Sri Lankan version. First of all, school teachers must be banned from collecting money from children for various purposes and the Education Ministry must provide funds for repairs, colour-washing etc. Anyway, the bail amount is too steep considering that a Chinese woman loitering in the night soliciting customers is only fined Rs.10.- What a twisted country.

Lobo Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:44 AM

What is more shameful is that the prez has to intervene to investigate the arrest. Where are our religious clergy, child-support groups and big-mouth politicians? Was this too trivial an issue for them to intervene?

Ricky Breeze Thursday, 07 February 2013 11:47 AM

Along I pointed out to my Sri Lankan friends about the injustice that takes giving room to human rights people from outside to exploit. Why is it continues to happen. Polititions go free even with murder and the ordinary people are hurled before the law. Sri lanka then tells the world hand off. Why?

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MR tells ministers to inquire into school girl arrest

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