Parents reportedly appeal to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya over declining admissions, disputed interview procedures and alleged removal of classrooms.
COLOMBO – Serious allegations concerning the treatment of Tamil-medium students at Royal College, Colombo, have emerged following claims that the school’s Advanced Level Tamil section has experienced a dramatic decline in admissions, accompanied by questionable selection procedures and the alleged removal of dedicated classroom facilities.
The allegations, published on October 23 by the Real Royal College Blog, reportedly originate from a complaint addressed to Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
At the centre of the controversy is Royal College Principal Athula Wijewardhana, whose administration has been accused of overseeing admission procedures that allegedly disadvantage qualified Tamil-speaking students.
The claims have not been independently substantiated, and no finding of discrimination or wrongdoing has been established.
Tamil-Medium Admissions Reportedly Fall Sharply
According to the published allegations, the school’s Tamil-medium Advanced Level section previously accommodated approximately 100 to 120 students across the Science, Mathematics, Commerce and Arts streams.
However, the latest intake is reportedly substantially smaller.
The figures presented in the blog are:
- Science: 12 students
- Mathematics: 17 students
- Commerce and Arts combined: Approximately 12 students
- Total: Approximately 41 students
If these figures are accurate, they would represent a substantial decline from the historical intake described by the complainants.
The figures require verification against official admission records, including the number of applications received, candidates meeting eligibility requirements and places available in each stream.
Qualified Students Allegedly Denied Interviews
One of the most serious allegations concerns the selection process for Advanced Level admissions.
The published account claims that numerous Tamil-medium applicants who had obtained the required Ordinary Level examination results were not invited for interviews.
According to the complainants, the relevant academic thresholds included five A grades for admission consideration in Science and Mathematics and three A grades for Commerce and Arts.
The report further alleges that interview panels were constituted in a manner that disadvantaged Tamil-speaking candidates.
In particular, it questions whether Tamil-medium applicants were assessed by panels with sufficient representation from educators familiar with their language of instruction.
These claims raise important questions about consistency, transparency and fairness in student selection.
However, the composition of the interview panels, the applicable selection criteria and the reasons for individual admission decisions have yet to be independently established.
Allegations That Tamil-Medium Classrooms Were Removed
Beyond admissions, parents have reportedly raised concerns about facilities available to students already enrolled in the Tamil-medium section.
According to the blog, classroom spaces previously allocated to Tamil-medium students were removed or reassigned, allegedly leaving some students without appropriate learning facilities.
If confirmed, such circumstances would raise questions about the school’s planning and its responsibility to provide suitable educational facilities for students in every language stream.
The Ministry of Education and school administration should be able to clarify whether any classroom reallocations occurred, the reasons behind them and what alternative arrangements were provided.
Royal College’s Own Policies Emphasise Inclusivity
The controversy is particularly concerning given Royal College’s publicly stated educational framework.
The school’s official website identifies Tamil as a medium of instruction across several subjects, including Mathematics and Science, and lists subjects offered in all three languages at Advanced Level.
Its admissions information also highlights the institution’s commitment to a diverse student population, bringing together children from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
Consequently, any verified reduction in opportunities for Tamil-medium students would warrant careful examination to establish whether it resulted from changing demand, resource limitations, admission procedures or another explanation.
Questions for the Principal and Ministry of Education
The allegations place several important questions before Principal Athula Wijewardhana and the Ministry of Education:
- How many Tamil-medium applicants sought Advanced Level admission for the 2026 intake?
- How many satisfied the officially prescribed academic requirements?
- How many were invited for interviews, accepted or rejected?
- What criteria determined the composition of the interview panels?
- Has there been any reduction or reassignment of classrooms previously allocated to Tamil-medium students?
- What explains the reported decline in Tamil-medium admissions, and what measures are being taken to ensure equitable access?
Publication of the relevant admission statistics and selection procedures could help establish the facts and address growing concerns.
Parents Reportedly Seek Prime Minister’s Intervention
The blog states that affected parents have appealed directly to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, requesting intervention by the Ministry of Education and the authorities responsible for national schools.
Their reported demands include a review of admission procedures, restoration of appropriate classroom facilities and an independent investigation into the allegations.
An examination of the original complaint, supporting documentation and official responses would be necessary to determine whether the concerns are substantiated.
A Matter Beyond One School
Royal College occupies a prominent position in Sri Lanka’s national education system, making questions about its admission procedures and treatment of students a matter of wider public interest.
Public schools have a responsibility to administer their educational programmes fairly and transparently, irrespective of students’ ethnic or linguistic backgrounds.
At the same time, allegations of discrimination against individual school administrators must be evaluated objectively, with those accused given a meaningful opportunity to respond.
A significant reduction in admissions alone does not establish discrimination. It does, however, warrant examination when accompanied by complaints about selection procedures and access to classroom facilities.
The central question is whether all qualified students have been given a fair opportunity to pursue their education in their chosen medium of instruction.
Ultimately, the credibility of Royal College’s administration and the confidence of affected families would be best served by a transparent, evidence-based review of the allegations.
Source: Real Royal College Blog, October 23, 2026; Royal College Colombo official website.
Editor’s note: The allegations reported above originate from a publicly available blog post describing a purported parental complaint. The Morning Telegraph has not independently verified the underlying complaint, admissions figures, interview arrangements or classroom allegations. A response from Royal College and the Ministry of Education remains to be obtained.
