We believe that school is the safest place for children. Every mother and father who takes their child to school and drops them off with trust believes that their child will be safe there. Parents protect their children like the apple of their eye, and that belief is deeply rooted in their hearts.
However, that belief was shattered yesterday (12) in Kandy.
A seven-year-old child was run over and killed inside a school compound by a vehicle allegedly driven by the school’s director. The tragic incident has shocked the entire country.
The incident occurred at a well-known international school in Kandy. The child who lost his life in this heartbreaking accident has been identified as Kavindu Kumarage.
How Did the Accident Happen?
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 11.00 a.m., close to the school interval.
The child had gone to a water tap within the school premises to wash his hands before having lunch. Witnesses say that while the child was washing his hands, the vehicle driven by the school director suddenly moved forward and ran over him.
Another child was also injured in the same incident.
The injured child, was admitted to the Kandy National Hospital for treatment. Hospital sources stated that his condition is not serious.
The Controversy Over the Driver’s Seat
Following the tragedy, the school director told the police that he had arrived at the school in the vehicle with a driver.
According to his statement, he had already gotten out of the vehicle near the office and was walking towards the building when the driver allegedly stopped the vehicle on a slope and went elsewhere. He claimed that he then saw the vehicle rolling forward and attempted to get into the driver’s seat to stop it but failed.
However, eyewitnesses strongly dispute this account.
They claim that the director himself was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident and that no driver was inside the vehicle. People who know the director also stated that he does not usually have a personal driver.
Legal Action and Social Responsibility
Based on the information available so far, the police have taken the director into custody. Investigators are currently examining CCTV footage from the school and nearby areas to establish exactly what happened.
The tragedy has raised serious questions about safety and responsibility within school premises.
A child who came to school expecting to learn and play has now lost his life due to what appears to be an act of negligence. Sadly, no investigation or legal action can bring that innocent life back.
