HRC orders A'pura principal to admit student

by Sirisena Liyanage (Anuradhapura Central group corr.)

The Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission has ordered the Principal of the Anuradhapura Central College to admit a student before August 02, after it was pointed out that the applicant had fulfilled all the qualifications.This followed a complaint made by the parent.

The Commission has also ordered the Principal of the Anuradhapura Central College to report to the Commission of the steps taken with regard to the recommendations.

The letter sent on July 13, 2005 with the signature of Director of Inquiries and Investigation Director Nimal P. Punchihewa to the Principal Vipulasena Rajapakse has also noted that the applicant's rights have been violated according to the section 12 of the Constitution.

Nihal Wijesooriya of Disa Mawatha, Bulankulama, Anuradhapura had lodged a complaint with the HRC that his son Wasitha Ediriweera was not admitted to grade 6 of the school despite fulfilling all the requirements.

According to the complaint of the father although his child had fulfilled all the requirements for admission to the school five other applicants who failed the scholarship examination and five others who had obtained lesser marks had been admitted to the school by the Principal. According to a report by the Investigations Officer Thusitha Aluthpatabendi commissioned by the Director of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission it was obvious that the Principal had admitted the other students in an arbitrary fashion. Although the Principal had admitted 10 students on the basis of 'special skills' there were no skills mentioned in their applications.

Though Wasitha Ediriweera had gained 141 marks surpassing all 10 applicants and as such should have merited priority in the selection, a student who gained 74 marks had been admitted by the Principal, the HRC officer found out.