Teacher torture and court delays ( Case Three)

Stories of the disposed: Illustrations of the break down in the rule of law in Sri Lanka

By Our Correspondent in Colombo

(March 29, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) A father came from Nivitigala to Ratnapura to give us an update on the progress of his son’s case. On 19 October 2005 his son, Ranjit, who at the time was a 12 year old pupil in grade 5 - was assaulted by one of the principal teachers in his school. The teacher hit him across his face breaking his nose in 3 places.Despite the fact his son was very seriously injured no teacher took him to hospital – he received no assistance from any member of school staff. Eventually the other students, seeing that their classmate was seriously hurt, took him to his home and told his father what had happened. He was then taken to hospital where he underwent three operations and was told that he might need another operation when he is 25 – 30 years old.

His father went to Janasansadaya (JS) and sought legal assistance. His case was filed with the HRC-SL who found the teacher had done wrong and ordered him to pay 5000rs compensation. The teacher did not pay and was transferred to another school.

The police filed a case against the teacher and a lawyer was provided by JS to safeguard the son’s rights. The magistrate referred the case to the Attorney General for further instruction as to whether this case is serious enough to be referred to the High Court. 5 years later the instruction has still not come.

Since the initiation of the case the father says several positive changes have happened in the school- the principal has ordered the teachers and staff not to touch or curse any pupil. Ranjit is now 17 years old and a talented artist with bright prospects - he has become a student leader amongst his peers and the principal and staff have asked him to go back to the school to undertake his advanced studies.

Ranjit’s father is a farmer, he attended the hospital every day to see his son and so his crop failed as it was not tended. His daughter also did not attend school for fear of the teachers.

The father has subsequently hired a tri-shaw to try to earn some extra money to support his family. However, his father is worried about the future: “we are not rich people although we have some savings but we still have the fear of what will happen at the later stages of my son’s adult life when he needs another operation” despite this the father says “we are optimistic but after 5 years we just want the case to finish”.