Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received news of yet another case involving a teacher in Sri Lanka assaulting one of his pupils. In the latest incident, on 17 July 2006 the 13-year-old victim and his classmates had been chatting outside their classroom as the subject-teacher due at the time was late. Another teacher, Mr. Wijesiri had come and chased them inside the classroom. The boys went inside but two boys had hooted at the teacher. Mr. Wijesiri lost his temper and demanded to know who was responsible for the hooting. He threatened the boys that if they did not tell him who hooted, he would severely punish them all.
When the boys who hooted failed to own up to their prank, Mr. Wijesiri came forward with a large stick (which he had broken from a tree) and began thrashing the boys. The victim complains that as a result of the assault, his fingers swelled up and he is now unable to use his hand properly owing to the pain.
The victims mother says that two years ago this same teacher, Wijesiri assaulted her son on the head. In that incident the school principal intervened and instead of taking disciplinary action against the teacher, settled the matter. This time, the victims mother is adamant to see justice for her son.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write a letter of concern to the relevant authorities asking the education authorities and the police to take immediate disciplinary and legal action against the errant teacher. Compensation should be paid to the victim for the pain and suffering caused to him.
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To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear _____________,
SRI LANKA: Thirteen year old assaulted by his school teacher
Name of victim: Victims name withheld, 13 years; grade 7 student of St. Anthonys College Panadura.
Name of alleged perpetrator: Mr. Wijesiri, a teacher of St. Anthonys College, Panadura.
Date of incident: 17 July 2006
I am writing in regards to the increasing number of assaults by teachers in Sri Lanka on their pupils. Though some may view such action as merely disciplining students, the teachers actions can in no way be condoned as assault is a serious crime and should be dealt with as such.
In the latest incident, on 17 July 2006 the 13-year-old victim and his classmates had been chatting outside their classroom as the subject-teacher due at the time was late. Another teacher, Mr. Wijesiri had come and chased them inside the classroom. The boys went inside but two boys had hooted at the teacher. Mr. Wijesiri lost his temper and demanded to know who was responsible for the hooting. He threatened the boys that if they did not tell him who hooted, he would severely punish them all.
When the boys who hooted failed to own up to their prank, Mr. Wijesiri came forward with a large stick (which he had broken from a tree) and began thrashing the boys. The victim complains that as a result of the assault, his fingers swelled up and he is now unable to use his hand properly owing to the pain.
The victims mother says that two years ago this same teacher, Wijesiri assaulted her son on the head. In that incident the school principal intervened and instead of taking disciplinary action against the teacher, settled the matter. This time, the victims mother is adamant to see justice for her son.
I call on the education authorities and the police in Sri Lanka to intervene in this case and ensure that the teacher is dealt with accordingly for the crimes he has committed. I also ask that compensation be paid to the victim for the pain and suffering he has endured.
Yours sincerely,
_______________________________
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse
President
Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka
C/- Office of the President
Temple Trees
150, Galle Road
Colombo 3
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2472100 / +94 11 2446657 (this is contact for Secretary to President)
Email: secretary@presidentsoffice.lk
2. Mr. K. C. Kamalasabesan
Attorney General
Attorney General’s Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436421
Email: attorney@sri.lanka.net
3. Secretary
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
No. 36, Kynsey Road
Colombo 8
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 694 925 / 673 806
Fax: +94 11 2 694 924 / 696 470
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk
4. Mr. Chandra Fernando
Inspector General of Police
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877
Email: chandralaw@police.lk
5. Secretary
National Police Commission
3rd Floor, Rotunda Towers,
109 Galle Road
Colombo 03
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 395310
Fax: +94 11 2 395867
E-mail: npcgen@sltnet.lk
6. Dr. Hiranthi Wijemanne
National Child Protection Authority
330, Thalawathgoda Road
Madiwella
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 778912/13/14
Fax: +94 11 2 778975
E-mail: ncpa@childprotection.gov.lk
7. Bo Viktor Nylun
Head of Child Protection
UNICEF Sri Lanka
P.O. Box 143, Colombo
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 555 270 (6 lines)
Fax: +94 11 2 551 333
E-mail: colombo@unicef.org
8. Mr. Jacob Egbert Doek
Chairperson
Committee on the Rights of the Child
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917 9022
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
