President gets tough with Keheliya
President Mahinda Rajapakse on Sunday informed Royal College Principal Upali Gunasekera not to succumb to pressure from any quarter on matters of discipline and to take whatever steps necessary to ensure discipline in the school.e
The President also directed the Principal to make a police complaint on any threats received and assured his fullest support in ensuring justice.
The President’s call to the Royal College Principal followed the lead story in The Sunday Leader of June 15 where it was reported that Gunasekera was forced under pressure to withdraw the punishment meted out to Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s son who was involved with four other students in an incident of breaking into a teacher’s room and stealing some files.
Minister Rambukwella’s son had been suspended by the Principal for three months from all co-curricular activities, which suspension was subsequently withdrawn under pressure by the Minister.
Minister Rambukwella who had visited the school with his security had warned the Principal that legal action would be taken if the suspension order on his son was not withdrawn.
It is learned the Principal and Deputy Principal were also warned they would be transferred to Vavuniya if the suspension order was not withdrawn.
It is further learned, the Principal and two teachers in the school had received death threats over the telephone following the incident, but there was no confirmation as to the source of the threat.
Informed sources said the Principal had explained to the President what led to the disciplinary action and details of the subsequent developments including the threats received.
The President it is learned had said he read the full report in The Sunday Leader and that his son Namal had also drawn his attention to it.
"Take whatever action that is necessary including restoring the suspension order. You must ensure discipline in the school and don’t succumb to pressure by Ministers and MPs. You can count on my full support," the President had said.
Informed sources said the President had also called Minister Rambukwella on Sunday to reprimand him for his conduct, but the Minister had not been available. It is learned the President had later reprimanded Rambukwella over his conduct but the Minister had denied issuing any threats or using pressure tactics.
President Mahinda Rajapakse on Sunday informed Royal College Principal Upali Gunasekera not to succumb to pressure from any quarter on matters of discipline and to take whatever steps necessary to ensure discipline in the school.e
The President also directed the Principal to make a police complaint on any threats received and assured his fullest support in ensuring justice.
The President’s call to the Royal College Principal followed the lead story in The Sunday Leader of June 15 where it was reported that Gunasekera was forced under pressure to withdraw the punishment meted out to Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s son who was involved with four other students in an incident of breaking into a teacher’s room and stealing some files.
Minister Rambukwella’s son had been suspended by the Principal for three months from all co-curricular activities, which suspension was subsequently withdrawn under pressure by the Minister.
Minister Rambukwella who had visited the school with his security had warned the Principal that legal action would be taken if the suspension order on his son was not withdrawn.
It is learned the Principal and Deputy Principal were also warned they would be transferred to Vavuniya if the suspension order was not withdrawn.
It is further learned, the Principal and two teachers in the school had received death threats over the telephone following the incident, but there was no confirmation as to the source of the threat.
Informed sources said the Principal had explained to the President what led to the disciplinary action and details of the subsequent developments including the threats received.
The President it is learned had said he read the full report in The Sunday Leader and that his son Namal had also drawn his attention to it.
"Take whatever action that is necessary including restoring the suspension order. You must ensure discipline in the school and don’t succumb to pressure by Ministers and MPs. You can count on my full support," the President had said.
Informed sources said the President had also called Minister Rambukwella on Sunday to reprimand him for his conduct, but the Minister had not been available. It is learned the President had later reprimanded Rambukwella over his conduct but the Minister had denied issuing any threats or using pressure tactics.
