Regarding the incident of a 15-year-old girl jumping to her death from the Lotus Tower, the Education Ministry has decided to seek clarification from Colombo International School (CIS), where she studied, an official said yesterday.
Although the Education Ministry does not have the authority to request such clarification from international and private schools, Education Secretary J.M. Thilaka Jayasundare told the media that she would immediately take action to request a detailed clarification.
The Education Secretary has assigned three additional secretaries and two directors to visit CIS and seek clarification on the incident.
The girl reportedly fell to her death from the observation deck of the Lotus Tower is confirmed it as a suicide the police said . Earlier, two of her schoolmates had also died by suicide after falling from a building at Alterra Residencies, Slave Island.
The father of the deceased female student told the police that his daughter had been under pressure due to the previous incidents.
“It is very unfortunate that the Ministry cannot exercise authority over the conduct of private and international schools. There are some directions from Parliament to take steps to monitor the operations of such schools, but there is currently no mechanism in place. My officials will be visiting CIS and reporting their findings to me if the school authorities cooperate,” she said.