SC permits rights petition filed by Grama Niladhari over school admission

By S.S.Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition filed by a Grama Niladhari against the Principal of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda for the alleged refusal to admit her child to Grade 1 under the Transfer Category.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Priyasath Dep and justices Eva Wanasundera and Vijith K. Malalgoda fixed the matter for 13 June 2018.

Lilani Abeychandra, the mother of Dewmika Shriyanga, filed the petition citing the Principal, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, the Minister, Attorney General and others as respondents.

The petitioner was the Grama Niladhari for the Mahaladuwa Division and thereafter transferred to Randombe South.

She made an application together with the necessary documents to Dharmasoka College for her child’s admission to Grade I under the Transfer Category.

She claims that in terms of the circular No. 22/2017, 4% of the children taken into Grade 1 should be from the said Transfer Category.

She maintainsthat accordingly,eight children had the opportunity to be selected under such a category to Dharmasoka College.

She states that only two children had been selected under the said category and complains the rest of the opportunities under such a category had been given to other categories by the respondent principal.

She is petitioning Court to order the principal and other respondents to admit her child to Dharmasoka College under the Transfer Category.

Dharshana Kuruppu with Aruna Gamage appeared for the petitioner. Deputy Solicitor General Mahen Gopallawa appeared for the respondents.