Alleged theft of eight coconuts to pay for school colour washing
The Ministers of Education and Justice have been instructed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to inquire into the case of the 13-year-old schoolgirl, who was produced before court for allegedly stealing eight coconuts.
The girl ,a student of a school in Horana, was released on bail by the Horana Magistrate on Wednesday.
Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, addressing a news conference in Colombo, said that the issue had been
discussed in detail by the Cabinet yesterday.
It transpired that the girl had apparently stolen the coconuts, to raise the Rs.800 which the school had wanted her to contribute as part of the cost of painting her school, in the Horana area, he noted.
Rambukwella said that the President, on hearing the details of the case, had instructed both the Education and Justice Ministers to investigate the matter immediately and submit a report to him.
Teachers had no right to demand financial contributions from students to maintain schools, Minister Rambukwella said. The Public Service Commission could take action against the principal concerned, the Minister said.
He said that those in authority should be careful not to drive youth to extreme measures by making demands that they could not meet due to their financial difficulties.
