Grade 13 student hospitalised after assault by teacher

By Ranjith Rajapaksa

Colombo, June 26 (Daily Mirror) - A Grade 13 student from the Ginigathhena National School was admitted to the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital following an alleged assault by his subject teacher, school authorities and police confirmed today (26).

The student, identified as Bhawantha Janith Pavithraarachchi, who is sitting for his Advanced Level examination in the technology stream, was later transferred to the Kandy Teaching Hospital for further treatment.

According to the student, he had been absent from school for nearly two months, during which he had attended extracurricular classes. When he returned to school on Monday (23), his subject teacher reportedly demanded to see his notes. Upon being shown the notes taken from the external classes, the teacher allegedly threw the book aside and assaulted him by striking him several times on the face.

The student further claimed that after filing a complaint with the Ginigathhena Police and seeking medical treatment, three other teachers from the same school arrived near the police station in a three-wheeler, forcibly took him back to the school and attempted to pressure him into withdrawing the complaint. 

The student also stated that he is now suffering from hearing difficulties as a result of the assault.

When contacted, Ginigathhena National School Principal Upul Indrajith acknowledged that the teacher had strongly warned the student and several others after questioning them about their prolonged absence from school.

Meanwhile, Ginigathhena Police OIC, Chief Inspector Viraj Withanage said that a complaint had also been filed against the student for allegedly posting a false statement on social media claiming he was assaulted.

Hospital police at the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital have recorded a statement from the student. 

The matter is expected to be reported to the Hatton Magistrate’s Court following further investigations.

Police inquiries are continuing.