A teenager (13) studying at the Manampitya Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya who left schooling due to abject poverty has become a victim of administrative travesty.
The teenager, 13, is alleged to have been identified as a pregnant mother by the District Secretary.
The District Secretary Polonnaruwas has apparently informed all relevant authorities including the President that she has become pregnant due to casual intercourse.
Her story has been found to be false and has affected her to the point that she sought legal aid.
Polonnaruwa District Secretary W.A. Dharmasiri has apparently forwarded the letter to the President’s Media Division, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat as well as the Ministry of Public Administration Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government informing them of the reasons behind the student’s decision to stay away from school.
Due to this, the girl says she is deeply hurt and tired of living. She has appealed for help to take the necessary legal action
The girl concerned had told the media that she could not attend school for more than two weeks. This was because she could not find the bus fare to travel to school. She has also told the media there was a severe shortage of food and couldn’t afford to buy the necessary school books.
On inquiry, Polonnaruwa District Secretary Dharmasiri assured that he would take immediate steps to rectify the error. He said the zonal education office had informed him that she was not pregnant. He also said that a letter had already been sent correcting the error.
It is a travesty of justice to come to a conclusion without ample evidence and a basic investigation into the matter sources at the Divisional secretariat said.
