Teacher Accused of Abuse Transferred After 1.5 Years — Tragedy Sparks Public Outcry

 

Tragic End for a Teen Pushed to the Edge

Dilshi Amshika, a schoolgirl residing in a housing complex on Galpottha Road in Kotahena, died by suicide after suffering prolonged emotional trauma allegedly caused by sexual abuse at school and the subsequent mishandling of the incident. Her death was reported recently, bringing renewed attention to the case, which had long been buried under bureaucratic inaction and social indifference.

Jump from Seventh Floor Results in Fatal Injuries

The 16-year-old student fell from the seventh floor of her apartment complex and succumbed to her injuries after being admitted to the Colombo National Hospital. Her death marked the devastating culmination of over a year of emotional distress following the alleged abuse by a teacher at her former school.

Family and Activists Demand Accountability

Following her tragic death, Amshika’s parents, friends, and the Ceylon Teachers’ Union staged protests demanding justice. In response, the Ministry of Education has finally transferred the implicated teacher — a year and a half after the incident occurred.

However, the move comes too late for Amshika, whose pleas and suffering were long ignored by authorities.

Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Neglect

According to the family, Amshika was a victim of sexual abuse by a teacher at Ramanathan Hindu Girls’ College in Kotahena. Despite complaints, no immediate or meaningful disciplinary action was taken by the school. Instead, the environment turned hostile toward the student, effectively blaming her and forcing her to transfer to another school.

Continued Harassment at Private Tuition

At her new school, Amshika's ordeal continued when a tuition teacher publicly humiliated her during a class. The relentless emotional strain from multiple sources eventually led to severe depression.

Her mother recounted, “She said it wasn’t the people who hurt her that made her want to quit school — it was how society rejected her afterward.”

Final Words of a Desperate Daughter

“She always told me: ‘Amma, I don’t want what happened to me to happen to another girl,’” her mother said, weeping. “They mocked her in front of others. That’s what broke her.”

She added, “No one came forward to help my child. We did everything we could to lift her from that darkness. But in the end, it wasn’t enough.”

Education Ministry Responds — Too Late?

In a recent statement, the Ministry of Education confirmed the teacher in question was transferred from the school immediately after the issue gained public attention. The principal was also questioned. The Ministry has now called for the police investigation report and promised disciplinary action based on its findings.

Call for Systemic Change

This harrowing incident has reignited a broader societal debate about child safety in schools, institutional negligence, and the urgent need for robust psychological support systems for students.

It also underscores the alarming lack of accountability in cases of abuse involving educators — an issue that continues to place vulnerable children at risk.