Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says the recent suicide of a 13-year-old schoolgirl following alleged abuse by a teacher is a stark reminder that “we, as a society, have failed.”

Speaking in Parliament today (9 May), she called the incident “extremely sensitive” and urged that such tragedies must not be politicised. “These are not things parents can easily bear. We must be cautious in how we speak and intervene, and above all, ensure these issues are not used for political gain,” she said.

The Prime Minister revealed that she, along with Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs Saroja Paulraj, held discussions earlier this morning and are now working on a joint mechanism involving the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), and the police. The goal is to strengthen how such incidents are reported and handled in schools.

The student in question, a Grade 10 girl at Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College in Bambalapitiya, Colombo, is believed to have taken her own life after suffering severe emotional distress. It is alleged that the trauma was caused by abuse from a teacher at the same school.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, also speaking in Parliament, said the case demonstrates the urgent need to establish proper systems to deliver justice, rather than relying solely on the filing of complaints. “What matters is not whether a formal complaint was made, but whether there is a mechanism in place to ensure justice,” he said.

“This incident shows how we as a society are failing. We all must take responsibility,” Premadasa added.

He also questioned why the incident had not been properly reported and called for an explanation from the school principal about the lack of communication regarding the teacher allegedly involved.

(If you need mental health assistance dial 1926 – 24/7 hotline operated by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Angoda)