Chaos over Kannangara College Character certificate

Controversial character certificate shared on social media 

“This is a clear incident of taking revenge on an underage child and we have complained to the high authorities including the Ministry of Education and the Regional Education Office,”

- CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin

“We will conduct a full inquiry and we would refer  this questionable document to the Examiner of Questioned Documents

- Police Media Spokesman ASP Frederick Wootler

Controversy over issuing an alleged damning character certificate to an Ordinary Level student by the principal of C. W. W. Kannangara College, Colombo 8,  has created chaos in the  educational system and the society as a  whole. The incident initiated at the school has now gone to the law enforcement authorities after the  Acting Principal of this education institution  lodged a complaint at the Borella police station over the circulation of  an alleged character certificate in the social media, which she claimed to be  a personal attack on her reputation and good will. Following the complaint, the student is to be summoned before Borella police station today (July 23) for the inquiry. 

According to the information, after sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level examination, the student has gone to the school to collect his admission for the practical test for Drama and Theatre subject along with nine other students. However,  the Acting Principal has allegedly refused to issue the admission over the hairstyle and attire that was deemed not suitable for students of this school. Subsequently, the Acting principal also has allegedly issued a character certificate stating “Regularly clashes with the principal. Prone to conflicts. Abusive to the principal. An indiciplined student” under ‘character and conduct’ column. 

However,  later the Acting Principal has issued another character certificate to the student,  but the alleged first character certificate had been shared in social media where users commented critical of the principal. On July 20, the  Acting Principal Ms. N.H.S.K. Wijethunga has lodged a complaint at the Borella Police station over the said character certificate with her name,  and police has summoned the student.  According to the information, and the police have contacted the student by telephone,  instructing him to appear at the  police station on the morning of July 23,  and provide a statement.

Principal N.H.S.K. Wijethunga filed the complaint with the Borella Police on July 20. Following the complaint, the Borella Police Computer Crimes Investigation Division opened a special investigation.

Howeve filing a complaint on the incident on behalf of the student at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), the  Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has urged the parties concerned to avoid undue influence, threat and mental agony to be inflicted on the student who is an underage.

Student summoned to Borella police today

In the  complaint signed by Secretary Joseph Stalin, the CTC claimed that Ms. N. H. S. K. Wijethunga, an Acting Principal in Grade 1AB has allegedly violated the fundamental rights of the student by issuing a malicious character certificate and by trying to inflict undue influence and threat on the student by summoning him to the police station. 

The CTU stated that the Acting Principal has suspended the practical test of GCE Ordinary Level exam on 10 students  over hair style,  dress code and minor disciplinary issues. The Union has charged that the head mistress has violated the rights of the students sitting for the examination and thereby denied their rights. It even complained during the HRCSL inquiry that the principal has insulted the students based on their family and social background stating that they were “children of drug addicts and vagabonds”. 

Later,  when the student had come to collect his leaving certificate on July 9, 2026, the Acting Principal has issued the alleged controversial character certificate  with  arbitrary and negative remarks,  and even cut the space where it should be indicated ‘Social Aptitudes and Leadership’. 

“There is an attempt to summon the student to Borella Police station and enforce undue threat and influence,” the CTU alleged. 

The CTU argued that the principal has violated the principle of natural justice by acting  as a judge and indicating negative, malicious and vindictive remarks without giving an opportunity for the student or her parents to respond to their allegations.  

The teachers union cited that with the alleged action by the Acting Principal of Kannangara College, the student’s rights under Article 2 (1) of the Sri Lankan Constitution which says: “All persons are equal before the law and are entitled to the equal protection of the law,” and article 2 (2) which says:  “No citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex, political opinion, place of birth or any one of such grounds” and article 27 (13) which says “The State shall promote with special care the interests of children and youth, so as to ensure their full development, physical, mental, moral, religious and social, and to protect them from exploitation and discrimination,” have been violated. 

Additionally,  the Union also charged that the alleged act of the Acting Principal has violated student’s rights under Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)which  mandates that the best interests of the child must be the primary consideration in all actions, decisions, and policies concerning children.

It further argued that under 1968 No 26  of the Examination Act and circulars that  a school principal has no legitimate right to suspend an examination of a student and  barricading/ blocking the future education and employment opportunity by character certificate is in violation of   education regulations. 

 

Acting Principal of Kannangara College

CTU urges disciplinary action

Considering the blatant and severe injustice and unfairness of the  situation, the CTU has urged the HRCSL to take immediate and urgent measures to suspend summoning the student to Borella police station, remove Acting Principal of the C. W. W. Kannangara College of Borella who does not have the qualification to hold the position with immediate effect,  and replace her with a suitable and eligible Principal. The Teachers’ Union also urged to take disciplinary action against the present Acting Principal of the College. 

When contacted by the Daily Mirror, CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that once issued,  a character certificate  belongs to the student,  and it is his or her right to  share it publish it wherever he or she wants. 

“It is not fair summoning a minor to a police station over this issue. This child with another has somehow got the admission and sat for the exam and passed it,” Joshep Stalin stated. 

“This is a clear incident of taking revenge on an underage child and we have complained to the high authorities including the Ministry of Education and the Regional Education Office,”  the Teachers’ union leader added. 

He charged that instead of the student, the police should investigate  the Acting Principal for her conduct. 

According to the CTU  leader the Acting principal had later changed the alleged controversial details of the character certificate and issued a fresh character certificate to the student. 

Old Boys back Acting Principal 

Amidst the controversies and chaos, the Old Boy’s Association of C. W. W. Kannangara College has issued a statement defending the Acting Principal and the legal status of the original character certificate. 

The association has stated that the school administration had issued a character certificate considering the past record of the student’s discipline and behaviour. It stated that the school administration holds full authority to assess a student’s discipline and ethical qualities.

However , the Old boys Association charged that social media has violated student’s rights by circulating a personal document on public.

The Association has urged social media users to stop spreading false information that could damage the school’s decades-old reputation and has urged the public not to create unnecessary online controversies. Instead, any concerns should proceed through the appropriate legal and administrative channels.

“I have issued a correct character certificate” - Acting Principal Ms. N. H. S. K. Wijetunga

When contacted Acting Principal Ms. N. H. S. K. Wijetunga, clained that she had issued a proper character certificate to the student. 

“I have not done anything against this pupil. I only asked him to have a haircut and dress properly when coming to the school.”

She said that the alleged character certificate was not given to him and it is in her custody.  

When asked as to how a photo of that character certificate was released to the social media,  she said that student had taken a photograph and released to the social media.

“He is joining another school in Colombo today with the character certificate I issued. How can he join another school if I have not given him a proper character certificate” she argued. 

“I only went to the police station to make a statement to complain about the social media post,  and the complaint was made to the Cybercrime Unit of Borella Police station for the purpose of  removing those social media posts  against me,” Ms. Wijethunga stated.  

“We will have a proper inquiry with an EQD report - Police Media Spokesman 

The Daily Mirror contacted the Officer-in-charge of  Borella Police station to inquire about the alleged inquiry,  but he refused to make a comment and asked to contact the Police Media Division. 

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Police Media Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Frederick Wootler  that the lady Principal of the school has made a complaint to the Borella police station about the character certificate circulated in the social media and thereafter the Borella police have referred the investigation to the Cyber crime Unit. 

“We will conduct a full inquiry and we would refer  this questionable document to the Examiner of Questioned Documents (EQD) and ascertain who has written it. And facts will be reported by  the investigation unit,”. 

He said the parties concerned would have to be summoned to get their side of the incident.