Deputy Speaker raps Dharmaraja, Richmond College Principals for violating Constitution

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent 

Principals of Dharmaraja College Kandy and Richmond College Galle have violated the Constitution by ignoring the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s decisions, Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala confirmed the House yesterday. 

Urgent intervention of the Minister of Education was requested in the Parliament with these principals turning a blind eye towards the legislative directives and evaluating the possibilities of other state establishments following the same path. 

“G.G.T.G. Udayasiri of Ambatenna has applied to enter his son under the category of past pupils to Dharmaraja College in 2015. The child in question has received 58 marks under this category. However, the Principal has rejected taking the child. The parents have petitioned the Parliamentary Ombudsman who has given a directive to the Principal. Instead of admitting the child the Principal has passed this directive to the Education Ministry and has rejected.” 

“Y.S.S. Costa of Galle has been unable to enter his child to Richmond College Galle. He has petitioned the Parliamentary Ombudsman who conducted an investigation. A directive was issued to the school principal who has also rejected the Parliament Ombudsman’s directive,” Deputy Speaker informed the House with details of the two cases. 

Opposition Lawmaker Keheliya Rambukwella, sighting the violation of the Constitution said: “The post of the Ombudsman is established by the Constitution. Rejecting or ignoring the Ombudsman’s directive is a clear violation of the Constitution.”