SC orders to address overcrowding at Anuradhapura Central College

Colombo, June 13 (Daily Mirror) - The Supreme Court yesterday directed the Ministry of Education to increase the number of classrooms in order to resolve the issue of student overcrowding at Anuradhapura Central College, which has a negative impact on the quality of education.

This order was made pursuant to a Fundamental Rights Application filed by Dr. Harsha Pathiragoda, challenging the overcrowding of classrooms at Anuradhapura Central College.

On a previous occasion, the Attorney General informed the Court that a solution could be found by adding an additional class to Grade 08 of the school, thereby reducing the number of students per class to below the ceiling imposed by the Ministry of Education. At that time, Counsel for the petitioner submitted that he would be satisfied if such a measure were implemented, and that he would withdraw the application once the decision was carried out.

Taking the above facts into consideration, the petitioner sought the Court’s permission to withdraw the application. Accordingly, Justice Janak de Silva ordered the termination of proceedings in the matter.

Counsel Nisala Seniya Fernando instructed by Thushari Jayawardenepura appeared for the Petitioner. Deputy Solicitor General Fazly Razik appeared for the Ministry of Education.