Coconut Thief(VIDEO)
On Thursday we reported on an incident where a thirteen-year- old girl who had collected coconuts from a neighbouring garden to raise money for the painting of her school was arrested and then released on bail after being produced in court.
Speaking at a media briefing convened on Friday, the Chief Minister and Minister of Education of the Western Province, Prasanna Ranatunga, commented on the incident.
The Chief Minister said that it is wrong to charge money from students for the painting of schools when funds for this purpose have been allocated by the Provincial Council.
Chief Minister of Western Province Prasanna Ranatunga:
''If the School Development Committee has identified and is implementing a project then the maximum sum they can charge for a month is 250 rupees. But even this has to be approved by the Zonal Office. Personally I accept, that when you collect the facilities and services charges, you cannot even pay an electricity bill of some schools. Therefore, when a project is being identified and implemented, it cannot affect the children. It is the responsibility of the principal and the tutorial staff to ensure that a child does not feel that they are different to the other children. At present our officials are looking into whether a decision had been taken to collect money at this school. Who approved it? A report will be furnished.''
On Thursday, we reported that a similar allegation had been levelled against this principal on a prior occasion as well.
The Chief Minister clarified the reason why this person still holds the position of principal at this school.
Chief Minister of Western Province Prasanna Ranatunga:
''You may ask why legal and disciplinary action was not taken against a person who acted in this manner. The biggest problem we have is administration and the large number of vacancies in the principal grade. At present 400 schools are without principals. We are working with acting principals. If we let go of the principals we will face a bigger problem.''
Although the Chief Minister expressed such a view, speaking at the cabinet media briefing held yesterday, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the biggest obstacle in transferring principals is the Public Service Commission.
Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella:
'There are two factors to consider. One is that it is prohibited to collect money like that in schools. The second is that when a problem like this arises, the Minister of Education and the Education Secretary do not have the power today to remove this individual. This is done by the PSC. The Public Service Commission. When you go there several factors change. We spoke at length regarding this. A situation has arisen where discipline cannot be maintained. I have one powerful allegation, I do not know how you will take it, but, there are several conflicts and problems because of the PSC's activity in the education sector.''
Meanwhile, a communique bearing the signature of Police Media Spokesperson SSP Prishantha Jayakody says that the crime of theft, which is a punishable offence under Clause 367 of the Penal Code of Sri Lanka, cannot be resolved at a police station.
The communique notes that the Officer in Charge of the Police station does not have the power to grant police bail to someone who has been arrested on the charge of theft.
The communique notes that there are no legal provisions to refer such a case directly to Alternate Dispute Resolution.
The communique notes that the police are able to not take legal action in this case, only if the complainant chooses not to press charges.
Chief Minister of Western Province Prasanna Ranatunga:
''No matter what facts the police present regarding that child‘s background I have seen in the newspapers and in discussions.There are much more severe crimes taking place in the country. At the rural level there is much more crime than this. A stricter procedure that is adopted for these cases has been applied here. It is rare for a child to lie. According to the child, she took two coconuts. It does not matter if it was one or two or eight. If the child has made a mistake then action could have been taken in a more practical and humane manner. I believe, I have a suspicion as to whether we have made another mistake by bringing this child before court and putting her through mental stress.''
Meanwhile, Kalutara District UPFA Parliamentarian Vidura Wickremanayake, visited the girl's home on Friday.
Mother of the child:
"...The midwife brought a pair of shoes home and said send the child to school this month. There was no white dress to send her to school in. She only has one dress which she wore today..."
MP Vidura Wickremanayake:
"...Does she skip school? Is she mischievous?..."
Mother of the child:
"...Sir, if there is some shortcoming she will not go. If something happens to the dress or if there is nothing to take to eat, then she will not go. She went to school on other days. She did not go the day before yesterday because she was in court..."
MP Vidura Wickremanayake:
"...Is there a scholarship?..."
Mother of the child:
"...No..."
MP Vidura Wickremanayake:
"...Come there and take a scholarship..."
Wickremenayake who participated in an awareness programme held at the divisional office of the Coconut Cultivation Board, spoke further on this matter.
UPFA Parliamentarian Vidura Wickremenayake:
''I think this would not matter if one nut was worth 1000 rupees. This could have been resolved before producing that child in court. I believe that the child's future has been ruined completely.''
Chairman of the FUTA Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri :
''The entire burden of the educations systems is being shouldered by the parents due to the negligence of the government. Students who cannot afford this have to face many difficulties as a result. this is what we tried to reveal in the recent past. There are circulars which forbid money being charged from students. both the principals and parents are aware of it. However this still continues. We hope that the attention of the court will turn towards this issue.''
Meanwhile views regarding this incident were also expressed in Parliament.
UNP Parliamentarian Buddika Pathirana:
''When the case relating to the eight coconuts came about, the investigations should have been handed over to the minister of education, not the provincial minister of education. there is an issue here.
Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardene:
''The ministry of education has sole authority to formulate national policies. The ministry has issued circular stating that it is illegal to request for money. Even in such a backdrop, there have been many instances where this had been violated. We will issue a new circular within 2 weeks stating that if money is requested from children or if they are forced to bring money, officials will be first suspended following a brief investigation and thereafter I will issue a circular for a broad investigation.''
UNP Parliamentarian Buddika Pathirana:
''With or without the knowledge of the principal one parent proposes an amount and it is seconded by another. A committee is appointed to collect money from the parents. What will be included in that circular to stop such acts.''
Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardene:
''Give us you proposals on how best we can do this, devoid of party differences. We shall consider everything. Let us work to create a new circular which will not allow the repetition of such a mistake.''
Inside Lanka News
BookMark Us Ctrl+D
