A mother has alleged that the principal of Talahitiya Junior School brutally assaulted her 12-year-old student, a child with special educational needs studying in Grade 8, causing serious injuries including damage to his eardrum.
According to the child’s mother, Malmalabaduge Anusha Niroshani Fernando, the incident took place inside the school premises on 20 April 2026. She stated that the principal allegedly struck the child forcefully on the right ear, following which the student experienced severe hearing difficulties. Medical examinations later confirmed that the child’s eardrum had ruptured.
The mother explained that the incident reportedly arose after the child had placed a piece of cake from his school bag on a teacher’s desk at the end of the school day. She alleges that the principal subsequently called the child over and repeatedly assaulted him on the ear and back. A class teacher had reportedly intervened and removed the child from the situation.
After returning home, the child had been in severe pain, and the mother observed bleeding inside his ear. The child was then taken to several hospitals before being admitted to Ward 12 of Nagoda Base Hospital for treatment.
Doctors have reportedly informed the family that the child sustained damage to the eardrum and warned that failure to receive proper medical care could result in permanent hearing loss.
The mother further stated that her son has long-term medical conditions including visual impairments, mental health-related difficulties, speech impairments, and obesity-related health issues. She emphasized that the school administration, including the principal and teachers, had been informed of the child’s conditions at the time of his admission to the school.
Hospital police had recorded statements regarding the incident on 21 April 2026, while the Thembuwana Police had also obtained statements on 23 April 2026. The principal was later produced before court and released on bail. The next hearing date has reportedly been fixed for 15 July 2026.
The mother further alleges that the principal had previously assaulted other students and that the police were aware of earlier incidents. She also claims that proper statements had not been recorded from key witnesses and that attempts had been made to influence teachers and students in order to suppress evidence related to the incident.
She has called for an independent and impartial investigation to be conducted by the Children and Women Bureau or the National Child Protection Authority. She also urged authorities to take appropriate legal action against the principal and ensure that her son is able to continue his education in a safe and supportive environment without intimidation or discrimination.