As a result of an assault made by a teacher of Matara, Gandara Madya Maha Vidyalaya, a student of the same school, had been injured and was admitted to the Matara,Thalalla rural hospital and has taken residential treatment for 5 days.
Ishan Maleesha of Devrampura, Kapugama, Devinuwara, (Matara) a13 year old male student of grade 7 year been assaulted on 4th of March in the school. After the questioning about a pigeon which had flown in to the class room, the teacher has forced the student to accept his involvement in chasing out the pigeon and when the student stated that he was not involved, the teacher has assaulted on the student’s head, shoulder and thigh area, with an albesia stick until the stick was broken.
Ishan’s father Mr Iresh Kumara, who was a fisherman has come to his home in the evening and when he saw the marks of the assaults he has felt very sad and has gone with his son to the temple where the reverend monk, who is the acting principal of the Gandara Maha Vidyalaya is residing, and has informed about the incident to the Monk, showing all marks of the assault and has requested from him to take the necessary action .
Later, in the evening of the same day they have gone to the house of the teacher Mr.Cyiril Abeydeera who assaulted the child and after showing the marks caused due to his assault, and has questioned from Mr. Cyril the reason for such an inhuman assault, Then he has stated that according to an incident in the school he had given about two blows and even that was done with the intention of correcting the student properly.(for his own good) Then Ishan’s farther has told him that he has not brought up his children to be beaten by him, until the sticks are broken. Thereafter they have come home. Ishan’s Father has organized a discussion on Sunday, 20th march 2011 in his village area, to educate the villagers on this assault. About 83 villagers had participated. At the meeting , information regarding some previous 4 assaults done by Cyril Abeydeera and Sarath Amarasooriya of Gandara Maha Vidyalaya were forwarded by the parents of the students who had faced to similar assaults. Although some parents had forwarded their complains to the Zonal Director of Education and the Rev. Monk the Principal no investigation had been done on this matter.
Although 15 days had passed after complaining to Gandara police station, no any investigation had started so far. But, on 20th before passing one hour, after the discussion took place, Gandara police came to their house and informed them to come to the police station on the following day at 5.00 p.m. to investigate their complain
At the end of the discussion a petition expressing their dissatisfaction in this regard was prepared be sent to His Excellency the President and it was signed by 76 villagers.