A tragic incident in Wennappuwa has shaken Sri Lanka after a 16-year-old Grade 10 student, hospitalized for over three months following an alleged assault by two teachers, passed away on November 13 at the Ragama Teaching Hospital.
The post-mortem examination confirmed that her death was caused by brain bleeding, directly linked to the injuries sustained during the assault.
The incident occurred on August 9, when the student and another classmate returned to their classroom after a delay of over 20 minutes. During an inquiry, the teachers reportedly became agitated over the students’ conflicting explanations for their tardiness. The teachers admitted to physically assaulting her and forcing her to kneel as a form of punishment.
The student was initially admitted to Marawila Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery for head injuries. As her condition deteriorated, she was transferred to the Colombo National Hospital for further treatment before being moved to Ragama Hospital for physiotherapy. Despite months of medical care, she succumbed to her injuries on November 13.
The two teachers, aged 39 and 57, were arrested following an investigation by the Wennappuwa Police. Initially remanded, they were granted bail on September 13. However, following the student’s death, the teachers were re-arrested on November 14 and remanded again until November 18.
Attempts to record the student’s statement while she was in the Intensive Care Unit were unsuccessful due to her critical condition. This has made the investigation reliant on medical reports, eyewitness accounts, and confessions made during the initial inquiry.
The student’s death has drawn widespread outrage, sparking debates about the use of corporal punishment in schools. Sri Lankan law prohibits physical punishment in educational institutions, but incidents like this highlight the gap between policy and practice.
The student’s body was handed over to her family on November 15, and her funeral has become a focal point for calls demanding justice and stricter enforcement of laws protecting children.
This heartbreaking event raises pressing questions about teacher accountability and the safety of students in schools.
