Royal College cadet complaint alleges misconduct, safety risks, forced collections and abuse claims involving Major V.V.S. Gunawardena.
Royal College cadet complaint concerns have surfaced after a formal letter dated 02 April 2026 was addressed to the Principal of Royal College, Colombo, alleging serious misconduct by Major V. V. S. Gunawardena, Officer in Charge of the Royal College Cadet Contingent.
The complaint claims that Major Gunawardena’s conduct has damaged cadeting standards and affected the wellbeing of students. It also states that previous warnings by members of the Cadet Advisory Committee, including Adm. Samarasinghe and Gen. Dolage, had allegedly been overlooked despite concerns about his history.
The letter sets out several allegations against Major Gunawardena, including claims of verbal and emotional abuse. It alleges that derogatory language such as “Hipaatuwan” had been used, creating what the complainants describe as a discriminatory and intimidating atmosphere for cadets.
The complaint also raises concerns over student safety, claiming that the absence of a warden at night had led to dangerous situations, including rooftop incidents and alleged intimidation of junior students by seniors.
It further alleges that iron gates installed in dormitories had created confinement and blocked emergency exits, posing serious risks to student safety in the event of an emergency.
The letter also claims that parents had been forced to contribute between LKR 5,000 and LKR 10,000, with allegations that the funds were being redirected to repair Major Gunawardena’s private residence. The complainants described this as a serious ethical concern.
Another concern raised is the alleged placement of CCTV cameras focused on beds and private areas. The letter states that this has created fears of footage being misused or leaked on social media, violating the privacy of students.
The complaint further alleges that outstation parents had been barred from entering hostel premises and washrooms, while junior students had been left to manage their luggage without assistance.
It also criticises what it describes as militarized discipline, including compulsory shoe-wearing throughout the day and discouragement of participation in sports, particularly rugby. The complainants argue that this undermines the true spirit of cadetting.
The letter also refers to the abrupt ending of the SEARCH English project and a lack of transparency regarding ROCOHA scholarships, claiming that both issues had disrupted important academic support for students.
Further allegations include financial extortion, threats, and public shaming of low-income parents who were unable to meet repair deadlines. The complaint states that such conduct damages community trust and student morale.
Most seriously, the letter refers to reports of corporal punishment and one alleged incident of child abuse among cadets. It claims these incidents had gone unreported because of fear of future harassment within the school and social stigma.
The complainants stress that the wellbeing and safety of students must be treated as the highest priority. They claim that cadets are reluctant to report incidents because of a culture of fear and intimidation allegedly created under Major Gunawardena’s leadership.
According to the letter, this environment threatens the mental and emotional health of cadets and undermines the core values of Royal College, Colombo, described by the complainants as a beloved and hallowed institution.
The complainants urged the Principal to launch a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and create a safe space where cadets can speak without fear of retaliation.
They also called for the matter to be handled with urgency and sensitivity, warning that given the gravity of some allegations, including possible criminal offences, immediate intervention was required.
The letter concludes by urging action to address Major Gunawardena’s alleged behaviour and restore a healthy environment for cadets. It further warns that if action is not taken, the complainants may be compelled to seek legal redress in a court of law.
This is correct. He is also the warden of hostel. Many of these things are similar to what happens inside the hostel. The principal has not taken any action despite sufficient evidence.