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Sugeetha teacher reveals that the girl was abused
Sewmini said that Sugeetha teacher was wearing ....
a towel in one photo, wearing a skirt in another, no clothing in the other
A sensation was created when Sewmini, a schoolgirl committed suicide by jumping in front of a train in Ja Ela when she was unable to retrieve a memory chip supposed to be in her possession; from where she hid it. The memory chip proved that 2 lady teachers were involved in lesbian activities. After Sewmini had to face humiliation and pressure from lady teachers and the Principal, instead of going back home she had jumped in front of a moving train; it was said at that time.
A letter too written in her own handwriting to the effect that she was mentally suffering was subsequently revealed. Though the reason for the above incident has still not been revealed, the Education Department which conducted investigations on the matter found that the allegations concerning the Principal, the teachers Sugeetha and Kavinga were investigated while Sugeetha teacher who was in charge of discipline has been subjected to vacation of post.
However, participating in an interview given to Mawbima newspaper last week, she revealed a different story.
What she said was that this student had been subjected to abuse and was living a life of mental suffering. The teacher when questioned as to what was in the card, she admitted that student Sewmini had said that in one photo Sugeetha teacher was in a towel, in another she was dressed in a skirt while there were no clothes worn in the other. She then admitted that in order to inquire about it she had gone to Sewmini's house .... but refused to comment that Sewmini was punished.
Sugeetha teacher had explained the story in the following manner: "I meet this girl on 20.09.2012. I was on vacation that day. It was Kavinga teacher who introduced this girl to me. I didn't know this child. This child had a Negroid type of hair. At that time I was in Negombo. It was by phone call that Kavinga teacher told me about this child. Because of the Negro type of hair I was able to identify the child as soon as I was told. That child at that time was in Year 8. A relative of this family is abusing this child .... says can't go home ... Kavinga teacher spoke to me and told me. Kavinga teacher addresses me as Sugeetha akka. She asked me, 'Sugeetha akke .... can you keep Sewmini today at Sugeetha akka's place and hand her over when the mother returns?' The child's mother goes to work .... and it is during that time that that man is abusing her.
After that I came to school .... it was then close to 2. The Principal, the Principal's wife Padmini teacher, the labourer working in the school, Kavinga teacher all were awaiting this Sewmini child. 'Aney teacher .... take care of this child and hand her over to mother, the younger brother is at home .... he's small. So, the child is saying ... can't go home'.
There's a difference of a distance of about 400 metres between this child's village and our village. I am the one who is closest. That is why she is given in custody to me. I escort the child and on the way the child says, 'Teacher .... don't go on the straight road .... because sometimes that man might be waiting somewhere down that road'. So later I accompany her around and take her to my home. I and my husband are at home. Because husband is in the police, he's away at a distant place. My akka stays close to my house. So I can't do anything without telling my akka. I call my akka, Ukku. I told Ukku to look after this child and left for the tuition class at 3.30 and it was about 6.30 when I came back. The uncle of this child called ...... but the child had not returned. Sewmini was wearing a dress of my akka's second daughter, a three-quarter and a tee-shirt. I take the child around 4. Even when I reached home the mother had not come home. I waited till mother came. I handed over the child to the mother and after doing my duty I came home.
This child tells everything to Kavinga teacher. Even after that the child over and over tells Kavinga teacher that she is being abused. She tells everything that is done from A to Z. This activity taking place continuously is not good for the child. We believe it's not good for the school also. The child comes and tells her classmates what is taking place. As such, these things should be prevented. Because of that we produce the child to the Sister of the convent .... to do counselling. In the process Kavinga teacher intervenes and brings the child's mother Mary and tells her everything. The mother pointblank says that such a thing doesn't happen. We then ask Mary to show the child to a doctor.
Even after that the child keeps on repeating the story. The Sister says that there's nothing else that can be done .... that we will take legal action on this matter. It was after that that the Sister telephones the Child Protection Authorities with the knowledge of the Principal. It was on 23.11.2012 that we come to know that officers from the Child Protection Bureau have come, after making the complaint. The person who is supposed to abuse the child comes to meet her. Sewmini hides. The other children come and say, 'Teacher.... that man is trying to speak to Sewmini'. That day this man had brought his wife too and is trying to speak to this child. Sir does not allow it. Only on that day we come to know that the Child Protection officials have come to this house and that the police had asked them to come. From there onwards the child doesn't come to school for a number of days. The child comes after a number of days and says that the examination was done. The parents were advised that the child was subjected to examination.
After 2 or 3 days the child's father came to our house. While coming like that the mother gave a call and said, 'Teacher .... now Sewmini's father will be coming .... teacher, don't tell who the person is'. That day I don't tell anything to the father .... because there'll be problems. I was advised by my home people. People in this village are rough. I was told not to put my hand into this.
After that, though this child tried to tell these stories, I didn't give my ear. I wasn't in a position to listen because of threats to my life more than the legal side. The child comes and tells about it to other teachers. But I didn't give ear. Her friends come and tell, 'Teacher .... aney Sewmini says she can't go home'. A vehicle was parked near the school for 2 days. Sewmini comes back saying that a white van is parked. I rescued this child by taking her on my bicycle with the knowledge of Kavinga teacher and the Principal, for 2 days. I did that duty without thinking of my own life. Just as much as giving support at the necessity of the moment, there are instances where I have given advice as the Teacher in Charge of Discipline. One day in 2013 I advice this child for not coming properly dressed up in her uniform. On another day, the Teacher in Charge of Discipline advises this child .... and the child takes her books and walks away from the school. When walking away like that, the Vice Principal sees this and calls her and brings her back and advises her. On a number of times the mother is called to school and things are explained. The year 2013 passes by like this. Nothing worth mentioning occurs between the child and us.
During the second period, on 06.06.2014 (that is Sewmini's last day of life) Kavinga teacher calls me and tells me something. She places 3 telephone numbers in my hands and written in Sewmini's handwriting saying that Sewmini gave those. From May 29th a certain person is speaking to Sewmini in the nights. What doe he say? about Sugeetha teacher. He talks as if he maintained a friendship with Sugeetha teacher. Hearing this, I was surprised. First of all I speak to Kavinga teacher, to the first number, switching on the speakers. That man pretends that he doesn't know and that he is not a person like that. So I tried the other 2 numbers. There was no answer. After that I speak to the first number again and tell the true story. The voice at the other end says that he's a person from Halpane in Kandana and that he does not know anything about this. Then I send a child to search for Sewmini .... to find that Sewmini had not come to school that day.
After that I continue with my work. At about 9 I took a call to mother. Mother didn't answer. Later there was a missed call from mother. I dialled that number and said that there is a small problem regarding Sewmini and to come on Monday. Mother agrees and says she'll come. When the interval was closing upon I and Kavinga teacher are teaching in 2 classes facing each other. After a short while Kavinga teacher points to me with her hand that Sewmini is near the tap. Only at that time did I became aware that Sewmini had attended school. A message was sent to Sewmini asking her to come to the computer room, and asked, 'puthe .... did a thing like this happen?' 'Yes .... it happened', she says. We then gave him a call. Then that man says that he'll come to school. Just then Sewmini says, 'Teacher .... there are 3 photos also with these 3 numbers'. i then ask her, 'What puthe you say photos?' Sewmini replies, 'In one, Sugeetha teacher is in a towel .... in the other one .... wearing a skirt .... and in the other one .... nothing on the body'.
From that point onwards of course it's my problem. I call her and take her to the Principal. That person is a building constructor. He says, 'I am a married man .... I have a child .... I won't do a thing like this'. At the start we don't show the child to him. Later, we showed the child's face from a side .... slightly. That person said he doesn't know. He said that if photos are available .... then a memory should be there. After that person left, we asked the child whether the memory is available. She said, 'the memory is there .... will give'. I said that I would tell the Principal, to which she said, 'Aney .... sir .... I am scared .... villagers there are strange'. On the permission of the Principal, I go with the child on my bike together with Kavinga teacher. When we went there the doors of the house were not closed. The child went inside the room and after pulling out something, said, 'No .... it's in a friend's house'. In the meantime, the previously mentioned uncle .... an uncle, and an aunt or so and so and so and so's wife enters the house. I tell them the incident. When I told the details, the uncle says, 'Sewmini .... this is nothing to play around with .... if it's there .... give it!'
I then tell, 'puthe .... then I'll wait even til mother comes .... and take it and go'. Sewmini replies, saying, 'mother is angry with you teacher'. I ask Sewmini, 'Why puthe you do a thing like this to me? Is it for the help that I gave you that you are doing this to me?' There's no sign of the child giving this. I tell, 'tagging my face ....anything can be done'. After that we come back to school with the child. The Principal Sir asks the child as to where the memory card is. The child then replies, ' ..... with the boy friend'.
Subsequently the child went to attend the 7th and 8th periods. We also engaged in our duties. But inside my heart I was sad .... I thought, a child whom I helped so much. I am the teacher in Charge of Discipline in my school. I am the one who does counselling .... I am the one who's in Charge of the Prefects. I am in charge of the sections. This is someone's work to destroy my image. My suspicion was that somebody has directed the child. Otherwise the child would not behave like this.
After school was over, I signed the register at 2.10 to go out. Though I signed the registrar to go out, everyone was talking about the subject. After that, at about 2.40 the crowd is going away. Nelka the teacher tells me, 'Sugeetha akke .... there's a pension party'. When I went to that house and was talking about that also, that person rings me at 3.20. I said, 'This problem looks like it'll go far .... you also will have to come'. I go home at 3.30 . When I went home, akka's podi duwa says, 'An uncle came and asked for punchi'. I knew that it was Sewmini's uncle. I get a call at 3.45; it was a teacher named Shanthi who called. I was hesitant to answer .... but I answered. 'Sugeetha teacher .... a child from Ragama, Walpola had jumped the train. It's like Sewmini'. I couldn't believe. It was as if a rock was suddenly kept on my head.
That moment Nelka teacher had spoken to Principal and come to Sir's home. Must inform the police of what happened.
Around 5.30 in the evening I called home and asked whether anybody came. Akka's daughter says, 'Yes .... some people are searching for punchi'. A male child grabs the phone and asks, 'Where is the teacher?' That's Rusiru .... a pupil of mine. Rusiru is asking me, 'Teacher .... who's Sewmini's boy?' Just then I hear someone beating akka's duwa.
After that, I hide .... thinking that all these things are a threat to my life .... so, to save my life I hide in one place one night .... another night at another place and then another story comes out. That is about a connection between Kavinga teacher and myself. After that my services are discontinued. Why the provincial department did this to me is a problem. By this time I have lost my job. Nothing where the Principal or Kavinga teacher is concerned. Why did I alone get this punishment?
The situation of Sugeetha teacher who was a participant in the mystery which grabbed Sewmi who eternally has had to suffer, is such. This is the story which Sugeetha teacher has had to say. It is our belief that the true situation of the mysterious story behind Sewmi's suicide will come to light before long. It is a thousand times definite that Sewmi will be able to go into the embrace of Mother Mary as a pure child after that.
Note -- Subhashini Guneratna