The three-member committee appointed to investigate the death of a student at the Sabaragamuwa University will initiate criminal action under the Anti-Ragging Act if it is determined that the death occurred as a result of ragging, according to Ministry of Education Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa.

“The committee has been established in compliance with the act and it will function with the powers vested in it by the act. Its decision will also be in accordance with the act,” he said.

The Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act No.20 of 1998, often referred to as the Anti-Ragging Act, defines ‘ragging’ as “any act which causes or is likely to cause physical or psychological injury or mental pain or fear to a student or a member of the staff of an educational institution”. 

Offences listed in the act range from verbal and written threats to sexual harassment and unlawful restriction of movement. 

Most offences listed in the act are non-bailable and liable to rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years, with expulsion from the university and compensation for damage to property or injury to victims adding to the punishment.

Kaluwewa nevertheless explained that a conclusive decision had not been reached and that the cause of the incident was still being investigated.

“We cannot make conclusions yet. We are still trying to identify the real cause of the incident, so we cannot conclude that the death was a result of ragging yet. Even regarding the death of the victim, it is the committee that has to decide on it and observe if compensation must be provided,” he said.

He further claimed that the Ministry of Education had constantly monitored instances and incidents of ragging and that complaints of ragging had significantly decreased over the years. 

“We have a constant focus on ragging, but occasionally there are isolated incidents which need to be dealt with. Whenever we find instances of ragging, we take hard action to deter any other person from committing such offences. There’s no deviation from that policy. However, with this incident, we plan to engage further to try and eradicate ragging,” he said.

Kaluwewa added that a complaint mechanism already existed within the structure of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

“There is a hotline and also a website where complaints can be made. However, awareness is lacking. We need to embark on an awareness campaign to educate students, lecturers, and society at large on the dangers of ragging and the complaint mechanisms that exist. We will be doing it very soon,” he noted.