May 01, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Higher Education has pledged decisive action should it be established that the recent death of a student from Sabaragamuwa University was the result of ragging.
In a statement released to the media, the Ministry confirmed that a formal investigation is now underway and that a dedicated inquiry team has been appointed to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The case concerns the tragic death of a second-year undergraduate from the Faculty of Technical Engineering, who was found dead by suicide at his residence in Gampola on April 29.
The student had reportedly returned home after participating in the university’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities. Allegations have since emerged suggesting that the student endured significant emotional distress linked to degrading treatment by fellow students during the celebration, with some relatives and friends claiming that this humiliation may have directly contributed to his death.
Responding to the growing public concern and extensive media coverage, the Ministry acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and confirmed that it is working in close coordination with both the University Administration and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Should the findings of the investigation substantiate the claims of ragging, the Ministry assured that firm disciplinary and legal measures would be imposed against all those implicated.
This incident has reignited public debate over the ongoing presence of ragging within Sri Lankan universities—a practice that has been widely condemned yet persists in various forms across institutions.
Whilst once dismissed as a rite of passage, ragging has increasingly been associated with patterns of psychological and physical abuse, with calls intensifying for stricter enforcement and preventative measures.
The Ministry’s latest remarks appear aimed at sending a strong message, not only to university communities but also to the wider public, about the zero-tolerance policy it claims to uphold regarding student harassment and abuse.
Officials have stressed the importance of fostering a safe and respectful environment within higher education institutions, whilst reiterating that mental health and student welfare must be central priorities.
