• CTU cites unsafe state of incomplete constructions abandoned post-2017’s ‘Lagama Pasala Hodama Pasala’ project

Following the death of a student in Balangoda after a tree branch fell onto a school building, the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has warned that many schools across the country pose serious safety risks and hence called on the Government to urgently take appropriate steps.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the CTU President Priyantha Fernando said that many constructions started under the 2017 project ‘The Nearest School is the Best School (Lagama Pasala Hodama Pasala)’ have been left incomplete and are now in a state of disrepair. “A lot of buildings were started under that programme, but many were abandoned halfway. Now, seven or eight years later, they’ve become dilapidated and unsafe,” he said.

He said that there are a large number of dangerous places within the school premises in all parts of the country, and added that the Government should prioritise the safety of school children and school staff. “There have been several incidents of school children being harmed due to unsafe conditions within school premises. The Government has allocated very little money to carry out repairs and other related work in schools. More accidents could happen anywhere if proper attention isn’t given.”

The incident in Balangoda occurred on the afternoon of 12 June, when a large branch fell onto a school building, killing a 17-year-old student and injuring 16 others. Police stated that all injured students had been taken to the Base Hospital in Balangoda.

Following the incident, the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Madhura Senavirathna had directed an investigation into the incident. He visited the school following the incident and directed the relevant officials to submit a report within a week. He also instructed school principals to notify the relevant Divisional Secretary and State Timber Corporation if any trees on school grounds appear to be unsafe.