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Malegoda Sir embraced me in school -- Mahanama teacher speaks out
The Principal of Mahanama College and a teacher of the same school who was a comrade of the Principal and all of whom were in service there sometime back had coerced the music teacher of the school within the precincts of the music room of the college have been found guilty of the offence.
Though many such incidents have been reported in
many a school and affiliated institutions frequently; females who come forward to battle out their problems and bring punishment upon them of course are far and few in between because the accused are in some way armed with power and political influence.
The teacher in reference who served at Mahanama College managed to express her undaunted past to a weekend newspaper this time, thus providing an example to others. This graduate Samanthi Manohari Pelaketiya who hails from the town of Nikaweratiya, Kurunegala happens to be a spinster. It is in the year 1999 that she initially joins the profession of teaching. She first serves in Polonnaruwa. Subsequently she becomes attached to a school in Anuradhapura and then after getting a transfer to Princess of Wales in Moratuwa in the year 2007 finally secures an appointment at Mahanama College. She unfolds her story explaining how she was subjected to female harassment from the inception she had her first appointment.
* How does the incident related to the case originate?
A vacancy arises when a lady teacher who served Mahanama College goes overseas. I then apply for that vacancy. After I handed over that application to the Principal, Premalal Kumarasiri who was the incumbent Principal had taken my telephone No. which was in the application and began calling me constantly. He used to say things like "your smile is beautiful" and so began to pressurize me. Although he was accepted by all outsiders as a good person it was difficult for me to act directly against him. In the meantime I got my transfer to Mahanama in the month of July 2007. I commenced work on August 7th.
* What happened after you started working?
I was keeping to myself and doing my job without getting into conflict with the Principal. But because I didn't accede to his proposal the Principal made it a point to pressurize me to the utmost. Although I was a music teacher I was nevertheless a graduate. But I was given the opportunity of handling class 5 and 6 only. I was not granted any increments in salary either.
* What happened after that?
There was so much of corruption and frauds taking place in the school. I was getting information about all those. In the same way the other defendant in the case, the teacher Thusitha Thilina Malegoda was maintaining very cordial connections with the Principal. Both of them got together and started creating harassment to lady teachers. Because of that some even left their jobs. In addition, they took undue advantage of mothers who came to get their children admitted to school. The Ministry had launched an inquiry on this matter. This inquiry was launched because of a complaint lodged by a lady teacher of the school and a person from the Old Students' Association.
* What is the incident which cropped up in relation to you?
On 28th March 2011 Malegoda embraced me by force. But because of the Principal there wasn't any way that I could take any action against Malegoda. Anyway I spoke about this to the teacher in charge of discipline. He was outside at that time. He said, "don't go to do anything now ... don't create problems". He said that he would come and do something. When I went to school the next day the story had gone round the school. What almost everyone said was not to go to police and not to bring out this incident.
* What happened after that?
Somebody had anonymously informed about this to police. After the April holidays the police questioned me on this. I told that I can't respond because I had not made the complaint ... thinking that I'd get into trouble. It was the women's bureau that contacted me on that issue. They said that there is a complaint against the Principal and this teacher, by an outside party. Then I spoke the truth about the incident I faced. But I told the police to tell that I had said that such an incident didn't take place. But after that I came under punishment right left and centre so to say. I was supposed to be a liar ... my character was defamed. I made a complaint to the police in May 2011 ... not being able to bear this up anymore. Even by that time those earlier complaints were being inquired into. Though I thought that justice would be done, the Principal became an obstacle to me. The inquiry report of the ministry came to a close; but the inquiry report was not given out. The secretary of the ministry said that nothing could be done and that it was the minister at that time who blocked in bringing out the report.
It was because nothing else that could be done that I got together with the Teachers' Association and exposed matters to the media at a media briefing. It was broadcast at the Sirasa Vimarshana programme on November 27th 2011. The next day, on the 28th this people petitioned against me saying that I violated the Code of Institution. Minister Bandula Gunawardena who was present at the prize-giving too spoke about ethics.
* Then you being suspended from duties?
I was suspended from duties on February 1st 2012. I was suspended saying that it was contradictory to the said Code to give a statement to the media. I then spoke to the Chief Secretary of the Teachers' Association, Joseph Stalin and filed a petition of fundamental rights to Supreme Courts through Attorney-at-Law Mr. J.C. Weliamuna. On the very day the case was taken up in May 2012 my suspension of duties was withdrawn through an interim order and so I was reinstated at Mahanama. I didn't have to stay away from duties for even 3 months as such.
* What happened to the Principal?
In accordance with the inquiry report of the ministry the Principal was sent on compulsory pension.
* Then that teacher who approached you by force?
That teacher Thusitha Thilina Malegoda is still teaching at Lumbini College. What is surprising is that having been found guilty both by the High Courts and Supreme Courts in the verdict given recently, is still teaching at Lumbini College. He had reported to work there even on the 29th.
* What is the case filed with High Courts?
For my complaint the police filed action with Magistrate's Court, Colombo ... against Malegoda. Malegoda was released from Magistrate's Court. I then appealed to High Courts against the verdict given by Magistrate's Court. There Malegoda was convicted.
* What's your decision now? Would you be serving Mahanama College any further?
Even today I spoke to the principal ... to get a transfer. What I think of is to get a transfer to my hometown in Galle.
* What do you now think about the teaching profession?
It's a disappointment that I have about the teaching profession. Most females who enter the teaching profession become subjected to abuse and harassment of male principals and male teachers. There's no opportunity to talk about it or to go against it or else take legal action against it.
* What do you feel about the judgement given in your case?
I am happy about the verdict given. In the end justice was meted out. Whatever it is, I had to spend about 5 lakhs of rupees to take legal action this way. I am not worried about the money that I had to spend for it. They harassed me ... pressurized me ... slung mud at me ... slandered me. Because of their negative actions I suffered both physically and mentally. Finally because of this court judgement ... I really became very happy. This will be a strength to other women who face suffering.
Note -- R. Kariyawasam (Mawbima)
