In a landmark legal move, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has filed a Fundamental Rights petition with the Supreme Court, demanding justice over the heart-wrenching suicide of 23-year-old Charith Dilshan Dayananda — a second-year student of the Faculty of Technology at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka — who allegedly took his life after enduring brutal ragging by senior students.
Filed by BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary Chathuraa Galhena, the petition accuses university authorities, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement of gross negligence and failure to act despite clear evidence of sustained abuse. According to the submission, Charith was the victim of relentless and severe harassment, culminating in a degrading and traumatic incident on April 26, 2025, which reportedly triggered his suicide.
The BASL petition squarely blames the administration of Sabaragamuwa University, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and police authorities for their inaction and inability to uphold anti-ragging legislation. It also highlights systemic flaws, citing a deeply entrenched culture of impunity for student abusers and institutional complicity that has persisted for years.
In terms of legal grounds, the petition cites violations of Article 12(1) — the right to equal protection of the law — and Article 11 — the right to be free from torture and cruel treatment — of Sri Lanka’s Constitution, asserting that these failures directly contributed to Charith’s untimely death.
The BASL is calling for sweeping reforms and urgent judicial intervention. Among their demands are:
- Holding accountable all officials and institutions whose negligence enabled the abuse
- Full enforcement of anti-ragging laws and university conduct codes
- Establishment of clear guidelines and protocols to ensure the safety of students across all state universities
- Recognition of every student’s right to study in a secure and respectful environment
The petition names 70 respondents, including high-profile figures such as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sabaragamuwa, the Chairman of the UGC, and the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education.
Filed by Attorney-at-Law G.G. Arulpragasam, the case signals a powerful push by the country’s legal fraternity to confront long-standing abuses in the higher education system, and to demand accountability for a tragedy that has shaken the conscience of the nation.
