The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has filed a Fundamental Rights Petition regarding the tragic incident of ragging and the subsequent suicide of 23-year-old Charith Dilshan Dayananda, a second-year student of the Faculty of Technology of the Sabaragamuwa University.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka, through its President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary Chathuraa Galhena, has filed this petition with the Supreme Court bearing the number SC/FR/101/2025, with the aim of ending ragging in universities.
The petition states that on 26th April 2025, Charith Dilshan was subjected to continuous and brutal ragging by senior students, which was a shocking incident that humiliated him, and he subsequently committed suicide.
The petitioners allege that the failure of the Sabaragamuwa University authorities, the University Grants Commission, the police and others to enforce anti-ragging laws and protect students led to this tragedy.
The petition highlights systemic and institutional failures, and a culture that has been created that continues to empower abuse.
The petition also asserts that the harassment violates the fundamental rights under Articles 12(1) and 11 of the Constitution to be treated equally before the law and not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
The petitioners are seeking justice for Charith Dilshan and are also seeking long-overdue structural reforms.
They primarily expect the Supreme Court to hold responsible officials and institutions accountable, strictly enforce anti-bullying laws and university regulations, set specific guidelines to protect students, and ensure the right of every student to receive a respectful and safe education.
(Translated from whatnews.lk web site.)