A group of parents, whose children attend Rambukpitiya Maha Vidyalaya, Nawalapitiya staged a protest today (06) in front of the school premises. The protest, driven by concerns about the former principal, Janaka Jayawardena, currently temporarily attached to the Gampola Regional Education Office, centered on demands for clarification regarding the incident involvingforcing a few students to eat polythene.
Last month, few students from grade 11 brought lunch wrapped in polythene, a prohibited item according to school regulations. The former principal allegedly confiscated the polythene, though it was already put inside their bags intending to take it home. Subsequently, the seven students were forced to eat to polythene by the principal, resulting in five falling ill and being hospitalized at the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital.
Following a complaint by the parents of the hospitalized students, the Nawalapitiya Police arrested the principal on suspicion. Although initially remanded until Monday (04), the principal was later released on bail by the Nawalapitiya Magistrate.
Protesting parents contend that the former principal’s actions were aimed at upholding discipline within the school. They credit his dedication for the improved discipline and educational standards, resulting in a significant number of students achieving high results in the recent O/L examination.
The parents are urging the Central Provincial Education Ministry to reconsider the temporary transfer of the principal and expressed their concerns during the protest. Meanwhile, the Central Province Ministry of Education is conducting its own investigation into the incident involving the principal and the polythene controversy.
