Kotahena schoolgirl death : Statement from Govt

May 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs states that the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), under its purview, has launched a probe into the death of a schoolgirl in Kotahena recently over allegations of sexual abuse. 

A 16-year-old girl had recently died by suicide, with her parents claiming that her death was linked to the child being sexually abused by a male teacher at her former school in Bambalapitiya and for being humiliated at a private tuition institute in front of fellow students.

Addressing the incident, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs said that investigations conducted by the NCPA had found that the parents had filed a complaint with the Bambalapitiya Police on 08 December 2024, accusing the child’s maths teacher at the former school of having sexually abused her. 

The Bambalapitiya Police had arrested the teacher and produced him in court, after which he was released on a surety, while an overseas travel ban has also been imposed on him.

The ministry further said that based on these facts, the NCPA and the Police Children & Women Bureau have launched a probe into the matter.

As the parents are yet to file a complaint with the NCPA in this regard, the NCPA has summoned them to record statements today. 

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs said it has also written to the Education Ministry Secretary inquiring about the measures that are to be taken against the accused teacher, as he is attached to a state school which falls under the purview of the Education Ministry. 

The ministry added that several investigations are underway by various entities into the incident. (Newswire)