- Due to extreme sensitivity, personal names have been partially mentioned.
Sri Lankan University Rocked by Suicide Scandal After Allegations of Sexual Abuse Surface
A tragic case that has gripped Sri Lanka is now forcing a national reckoning over campus safety, institutional silence, and the long-overdue justice for Amali C., a student at Sabaragamuwa University who died by suicide following horrific allegations of sexual abuse.
Before taking her own life, Amali wrote a series of emotional letters that detailed the trauma she experienced at the hands of senior students — naming two individuals she claimed repeatedly assaulted and psychologically tormented her. These letters have since been referenced in official correspondence by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Higher Education, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who urged the Police Commission to initiate a full investigation.
According to the Minister’s letter, Amali was subjected not only to sexual violence but also coercion, humiliation, and manipulation by a group of students who allegedly forced her to reenact explicit scenes, sometimes in public areas of the university, causing immense mental distress.
The accused individuals, referred to in the letter as Masha A. and Isuru A., are said to have shared a school background with Amali, reportedly having attended the same prestigious Colombo-based girls’ school. One of the suspects is now said to be married and living a private life, while the other remains largely unaccounted for. Despite the gravity of the accusations, no formal arrests have been confirmed, and the case remains shrouded in institutional silence.
Perhaps most disturbing are allegations that high-ranking university officials, including then-Vice Chancellor Prof. Chandana U., failed to act — and even actively suppressed evidence that could have supported a case against the alleged perpetrators. According to Minister Rajapakshe’s letter, the administration prioritized protecting the university’s image over protecting Amali and ensuring justice.
Amali’s story has sparked outrage across the country, with student unions, women’s rights activists, and legal watchdogs demanding swift and transparent investigations.
“Without justice for Amali, every student’s safety is in question,” said one activist who spoke under anonymity. “Her cries for help were ignored. Now it’s our responsibility to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to another girl.”
The tragedy has reignited a broader conversation about toxic campus cultures, sexual harassment cover-ups, and the lack of mental health support for students in Sri Lankan universities.
Despite delays, civil society leaders stress that it’s not too late to deliver justice — not just for Amali, but for the countless others suffering in silence. Legal experts are now calling for the appointment of an independent investigation panel, and for reforms in how universities handle allegations of abuse and trauma.
Amali C.’s name should not be forgotten. Her story is not just one of tragedy, but of a system that failed — and still has time to change.
SOURCE :- Neth FM
