Colombo International School and its principal have come under fire for mistreating a child
A pupil at Colombo International School, founded by veteran educator Elizabeth Moir, and one of Sri Lanka’s leading international schools, is currently undergoing the most problematic violation of their fundamental rights.
The pupil [in line with our journalistic ethics, The Colombo Telegraph refrains from mentioning the name of the underage child, also in an effort to respect the privacy of the child and their family] had expressed an interest in using a rainbow flag as part of their outfit for a fashion show. The principal, Sarah Philipps, a British woman, had then told the pupil that this was not allowed. The child had then complied by wearing the rainbow flag as a simple tie and dye cape. She had then come to school covering her bag in a rainbow flag.
The letter written by the principal, Sarah Philipps, to the child’s parents [which we produce in full here with the child’s name redacted], is a letter of the utmost shame. The principal, in 2018, and in a school in the South Asian region where the regional superpower’s top-most Court repealed anti-LGBT+ legislation imposed by the British during the Victorian era, continues to impose Victorian British values on a brown-skinned Sri Lankan child.
The behaviour of Philipps is highly unethical, and involves a violation of the fundamental rights of the child.
“In which century does the CIS Principal live?” Asked Uvindu Kurukulasuriya, the Editor-in-Chief of the Colombo Telegraph. “This is highly unethical and patronising. The rainbow flag is a flag that the world has recognised as one that symbolises fundamental rights and equality. Sri Lanka is not a British colony anymore. It totally baffles me to see that a British woman still assumes that she can live and work in Sri Lanka and violate the fundamental rights of a Sri Lankan LGBT+ child. It is all the more surprising because LGBT+ child-friendly policies are followed in many schools across the UK today. The child had every right to have the rainbow flag included in whatever way they wished in their fashion show outfit, or in covering their schoolbag. The Colombo Telegraph is happy to provide our fullest support to the child and their family in their efforts to ensure that justice prevails in the child’s favour,” Kurukulasuriya further added.
Many Sri Lankan nationals, especially human rights advocates, expressed great dismay at the way the child had been treated at one of Colombo’s leading international schools.
Thiagaraja Warathas, a lecturer in International Politics at the University of Colombo, the co-founder of Chathra, a leading LGBT+ rights advocacy group in Colombo, a co-founder of the Community Welfare Development Fund, noted:
“The actions taken by the school principal is highly homophobic. Altogether, costume of a fashion design contest is at the discretion of the contestant or the designer which cannot be censored by the principal. On the other hand Cooperatives too use rainbow flag. So do we expect principal to ban everything related to rainbows?
The most derogatory and inhuman actions taken by the principal is deducting marks and excluding student from all the activities which for me is violation of fundamental rights of the student.”
Warathas, who is also a leading educator and currently completing his PhD at the University of Bath, where he is a Commonwealth Scholar, further added “I would never ever send my kids to a homophobic school. This Principal should be held accountable for her actions and a proper official level inquiry should be called against principal for violating the rights of expression and right to education of the student”.
“This is beyond pathetic”, noted academic, author and international LGBT+ rights advocate Dr Chamindra Weerawardhana, who delivered Sri Lanka’s first-ever inaugural annual Pride Speech in Colombo in May 2018.
“The child should never have been treated in this way. This child did something important, by taking a symbol of equality, justice, tolerance and love to their school. The principal and staff should have been happy of what the child did. They should have stood resolutely with the child and their rights. Across the developed world, child-friendly guidelines are being put in place, with the objective of ensuring the rights of children across the broadly-defined LGBT+ spectrum. As a non-cisnormative and non-heteronormative woman and a mother of two young children, I constantly deal with a school, where neither me nor my children, nor other LGBT+ children face this kind of treatment. And this, I reiterate is in the United Kingdom. The principal, a British woman with degrees from the University of Bath, should have known better. The decent thing for Ms Philipps to do is to apologise to the child and their parents, allow the child to bring the rainbow flag to school, and launch an awareness raising programme on – to use the United Nations abbreviation – Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity/Expression, and Sex-Characteristics [SOGIESC]-related issues in the school. As an experienced educator, I will be personally prepared to help out in rolling out such an initiative if needed,” Dr Weerawardhana further added.
“The LGBT+ community of Sri Lanka includes many senior politicians, judges, outstanding lawyers, journalists and diplomats. In the current climate of mobilisation for fundamental rights in the aftermath of the Indian Supreme Court’s decision to repeal Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, our LGBT+ community and lawyers are unlikely to leave Ms Philipps and the CIS management alone unless they take prompt action in the right direction,” Dr Weerawardhana cautioned.
A broad dialogue is currently developing in Sri Lanka in favour of the rights of LGBT+ Sri Lankans. This involves efforts to call upon authorities to repeal sections 365 and 365a of the Penal Code, which are used by law enforcement to violate the fundamental rights of Sri Lankan citizens on the basis of their sexual orientation. This conversation also imperatively requires a focus on children and young people in the LGBT+ spectrum. Schools need to be issued child-friendly and fundamental rights-focused guidelines on ensuring equality to all pupils. (By Shamila Rathnayake)
Rajash / October 3, 2018
the whole world is going bonkers with LGBT …….for gods sake there are more serious problems facing the world….than LGBT.
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justice / October 3, 2018
If the child understands what the Rainbow Flag means, it should be proper for him/her to carry the flag.
Was the child old and mature enough to understand.
Such understanding comes with physical and mental development.
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Analyst / October 3, 2018
CT Author has gone ” completely bonkers”
When and how a child to know and differentiate the ” Dos” and Don’ts” of a Rule book??
When they get to be the President of SL ? Still would not know or follow by the Rule Books!!!?
In Apeeh AAANDUWE one rule for ruling class and another for others.
This unruly disobeying child has disobeyed several school warnings on this matter!
Why????
Child ! You are unruly .! Learn first to obey Rules before leaving your pampering Parents.
They too may have broken many rules , now they make their loony child to follow suit.
Shame to say I’m a Srilankan , and proud to be from the era of Parents who taught their children RIGHTS AND WRONGS OF LIFE.
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old codger / October 3, 2018
CT, you are stirring up a storm in a teacup. Even the Indian SC has de-criminalized sex between CONSENTING ADULTS OF THE SAME SEX. Students re supposed to follow school rules, otherwise it would turn into a carnival of non-comformity. Minors may have opinions, but their sexual or political preferences if any are best kept to themselves during school hours.This is exactly the sort of situation that anti-LGBT dinosaurs use to scare parents, that gays will be free to proselytize in school,
CT should know better.
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old codger / October 3, 2018
Some research seems to indicate that the student is from a one-parent family, in which the single parent is also gay. Sad for the student. But the parent should know how far to go.
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Richard / October 3, 2018
Rule/law is to be followed wherever you are. If the child cannot abide by the school rules, then she must find another school (she should be so lucky) who is willing to tolerate her tantrums. School should give her an ultimatum; learn or depart. Parents are at fault for not teaching the child right and wrong. This is what is wrong with Sri Lanka today, total breakdown of law and order (ballata gihilla)
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John / October 3, 2018
CT, get your facts right. Even in Victorian era there were no laws against trannies or lesboz. They were rightfully against the disgusting habit of waste product outlet romancing.
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LAC3(rtd) Buddhadasa / October 3, 2018
Johnny,
“They were rightfully against the disgusting habit of waste product outlet romancing.”
Except among your Maha Sangha of course.
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Jo / October 3, 2018
Did someone ask the principal as to why she did not allow the rainbow flag for the fashion show? I have the feeling her refusal was just a poor reaction to the fact that the pupil did not follow the school’s dress-code, wearing trousers instead of uniform for years. I personally like school uniforms. It makes many things much easier. And you find cool outfits nowadays for boys and girls alike if you try a modern approach. And why should girls not wear trousers? It is their fundamental right to do so. Well, if it is private school both parties have agreed upon certain rules and regulations beforehand. Either you stick to it or you quitt the contract from either side. Simple legal act.
What the flag is concerned the principal has not only hurt the fundamental rights of the pupil, excluding her from school activities, she has also shown an act of discrimination against sexually different oriented people, not allowing their symbol in a fashion show.
Well, at least the principal is totally in line with the Hon President, who does not want women to purchase alcohol, but rather cuts their fundamental rights in this concern too. Still this article reminds me of the cashew nut drama. A lawyer could have settled this issue fast. Making use of the press and formulating such an article is a little oversized in my eyes.
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Lemon / October 4, 2018
That moment when a comment is better put together and objective than an entire “article”…. Smh
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Thanos / October 3, 2018
Unfortunately, I am not sure whether this is a Fundamental Rights violation. For one, Homosexuality is still illegal in this country and more importantly, “Colombo International School” is a “PRIVATE” school. So they can literally throw you out of “their” institution without reason. You can file a lawsuit, but I am not sure how far it would go. Sri Lanka is indeed living under old colonial mentality. Historically, Homosexuality, Transsexuality as well as dress-codes were non-issues barring very few exceptions. There were plenty of dudes doing dudes, gals being with gals, and men dressing up like women and so on. Ancient Sinhala culture, in particular, was very liberal. Primary religions were Buddhism and Hinduism. Buddhism doesn’t give a $h!t about your sexual orientation whether civil or monastic life. In “Civil life”, you can be with whoever you want to as long as it is a one-to-one relationship with a proper emotional commitment (not just a sexual commitment) as well as permission from the guardian of the female, especially in heterosexual unions. So if a Buddhist is getting “married” for sex, despite being legal as far as the law of Country is concerned, it actually violates the 3rd precept since it is only a sexual commitment. When it comes to “Monastic life” all sexual activity is prohibited regardless of your sexual orientation. Hinduism, off-course I don’t know. Others commenters will have to explain but from what I understood there is no prohibition. This started to change when Islam came in but it was limited to individual families and Muslim communities. After the Europeans came in, they just put nationwide prohibitions on sexuality, dress-code, etc. The Sinhalese back then were branded uncivilized by the for Europeans. YES, THIS IS OLD EUROPEAN LAW. NOT OURS!
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jo / October 3, 2018
Agreed. But why does SL stick to these old-fashioned European laws, while the Europeans themselves have developed since then and found an open approach to sexual orientation?
Still, I cannot really understand the whole excitement. This matter is a simple case of breaking contractual agreements. If this child does not want to follow agreed terms, she can find another school. If the principal does not agree to the girls behaviour for the same reason she can ask her to go. I guess, this would have been a better choice than letting this story escalate. Now the whole nation is discussing about a rebellious pupil as if there are no other subjects of major interest to the country.
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Kasun / October 3, 2018
Ct you are overreacting for a simple issue, let’s fix the child for disrespecting the school rules not the principal, we all know what the rainbow means predominantly these days, let’s not give way to immorality in Sri Lanka by painting something different please remove this misleading article
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Frank N. Stein / October 3, 2018
The right of the :Principal to reasonably decide what is best for the child and the school should not be denied or violated. One must watch for children who dare normal school authority in the safe feeling of the influences and standing of their parents.
F.N. Stein
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Wathsala de Alwis / October 3, 2018
Being stupid is one thing. Showing it around is another. No disrespect here.
Rainbow flag, a flag of equality and justice, has, and should definitely have, its fullest place in schools. Well done Colombo Telegraph and its editor for having the balls to write a lead story on this issue. We need to move towards a Sri Lanka where the basic fundamental rights of everyone are protected.
Well done, also to this young person, who did the right thing by taking a rainbow flag to school. Sri Lankan people are not all homophobes and transphobic bigots, and such people are increasingly a minority. The majority of us are open-minded and progressive people who want to live in a country where our rights are guaranteed. IF you are Sri Lankan and homophobic, please get out of my country and go to a homophobic place.
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Upali / October 3, 2018
Wearing whatever you like school when there is a dress code cannot be a fundamental right.
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Goolabhai / October 3, 2018
This is LGBTQI nonsense going overboard!
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Anyone who can’t respect the school uniform of a private or government school have only one right. Thais to leave that school. Anyone wanting to stay in a school LGBTQI, bestial or heterosexual) have to respect the procedures of that school. Sarah Phillips was right and her rights also should be protected.
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chiv / October 3, 2018
I will be cautious in this matter because we really do not have all the facts from both sides. First of all I am proactive regarding LGBT rights. As a physician I have worked with this community for many years (HIV clinics abroad) . We need to be aware of the selfless services and sacrifices of teachers in providing services, The success of the school also depends on discipline as well as having a code for every student and staff regardless of their religion,race or sexual orientation/preference. These private schools have pretty much helped in closing the wide gap of inadequacy in services/ quality provided by our governments.I will like readers to consider previous issues like “wearing Hijab”, Non buddhist child refused admission in leading school….etc., before taking up on this. If we have exceptions in dress code and other symbols will only create more confusion, discrimination and possibility of parents trying influencing their beliefs and customs through their children.
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Analyst / October 3, 2018
Chiv
Please read the LETTER from the deputy head of the school before doolallying here!!
All the facts are there in black and white Chap.
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CHAMLAL PERERA / October 3, 2018
C T please check the facts this student came to school with this flag draped around her and when asked to remove it she was verry rude to the principal every school or working place has a dress code this has nothing to do with lgbt or human rights but a case of indicipline CIS is a verry liberal international school attended by my son and daughter DR CHAMLAL
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Rizwan / October 3, 2018
The school dress code is a component of school rules. The student has violated the school rules. Should the student not comply with the rules of the institution the school can rightfully deny the student access to use of its services. This has nothing to do with LGBT or fundamental rights, and it may not even reflect the personal views of the principal and teachers. Should the parents not approve of school rules then they need not pay them their monies. They are certainly free to seek services provided by other providers.
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Silva / October 3, 2018
I think the author of this article has got a rainbow knickers in a twist… School is where discipline is instilled in children…respect for rules and regulations… not just education. If the student is not complying to the schools disciplinary rules, he or she should be reprimanded. What if there is a boy who wants wear a skirt? should that also be allowed?? then should they also be using the opposite sex toilets in the school too??? answer that before going on FR and HR BS…
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Mahesh S. / October 3, 2018
The principal maybe right in this case. However, SL Education Ministry should have more authority to monitor and regulate these international schools, not letting them run as private profit making companies.
Take Gateway College for instance, parents have to accept whatever school says whether it is right or wrong – any arguments will end up affecting kid’s education since the school principals and the school owner are anytime ready to say “look for another school”.
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Analyst / October 3, 2018
Mahesh
Yes ! look for another school where the Head of the school can be threatened by you and your bodyguards.
Law and Order gone to dogs not by the children but by the Unruly Parents and the Spiritualists in Yellow robes.
This kind of attitude will bring the downfall to our nation as a whole where people think money can buy anything , including disobeying and trying to rewrite rule books are okay.
Come on grown ups! Please grow up to be loyal, descent, law abiding citizens.
Please don’t teach your children to follow wrong paths as you did!!
Remember the story of the “chickens guarded by the fox.”‘
The future of these children will be , unruly, lawbreaking , thieves , drug peddlers , and murderers.
When taken to prison hand cuffed by Police , the morons are joined to celebrate and disregard the law by the Police ( few supporters ) , people( followers) and the media( bum suckers) of the powerful hand cuffed moron.
What a country we live?? Where LAW is considered a Joke.
Whose fault????
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Mahesh S. / October 3, 2018
Analyst,
You are such an idiot that you don’t know me, or if I am having bodyguards or sort of issues I have faced with the school and principals. What has this issue got to do with yellow robes and unruly parents? At least I am posting the comment with my name, when you are hiding behind a common name and reply me?
The way you show hatred towards monks, and the way you come jumping in rescuing Muslims in few other comments give me some hints who you could be.
If you guys find SL’s LAW is considered joke, better go and live in countries like Saudi or other Muslim countries where Joke is the LAW, and see how hard to live, if you come back we don’t take you.
What do you know about school system when you could have been attended a Mulla Madarasa or some rural Muz Maha Vids ?
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Analyst / October 3, 2018
Mahesh S
You are such an idiot ! that you don’t know me either. I can imagine from where the hell you come from , from your prickly remark.
You’re completely wrong in your assumption , anyone has a right to comment here of rights and wrongs .
That does not mean one is trying to please mullahs , yellow robes , cardinals or Hindu priests!
Keep praising your law and order until the next generation too stops respecting it .
Good luck
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Lemon / October 4, 2018
Analyst,
Yes, everyone does have a right to comment here of rights and wrong, and you my dear and clearly and completely wrong!
You seem to have some serious problems that you might want to get looked at. Best of luck.
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Mahesh S. / October 4, 2018
Analyst.
You can hide your identity, and say “You’re completely wrong in your assumption” when someone suspect that you are a Muslim – It is a shame on you who do not want to reveal the community he belongs to.
Are you ready to leave SL as I noticed you said “your law”? Take a note, it is our LAW that protects people like you who are greedy of accumulating wealth even doing smuggling and selling drugs.
You better go back where you belong.
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Analyst / October 3, 2018
This child is at the wrong school trying to change the rule books of this very popular private school.
Certainly it’s the wrong school to emulate the suffragette “Emmaline Pankhurst”
This child should leave this school immediately and wave the Rainbow flag somewhere else.
How dare few of the Nincompops asking above for her removal from her position.
Half baked SLankans jumps up at every opportunity to discredit law of an institution or law of the country.
They should be ashamed of themselves, whether the child is from a powerful rulers ( Sick in mind ) or from the servants of the powerful of SL , they think they can break the law just as they do in SL as a whole.
Shame on the Parents , now what have they done to their precious ” Chooti Baba” , ” Go and Sulk “???
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jim softy / October 3, 2018
According to Buddhist values homosexuality is not allowed. However, exceptions are made for monks as they are not married. So I dont understand why the school is promoting homosexual values in a Buddhist country.
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Steve / October 3, 2018
Jim Soft in the head
Looks as if you are a homosexual monk. In which Buddhist teachings is homosexuality allowed. Although it appears it is freely practiced by the monks.
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jim softy / October 3, 2018
I dont understand the semantics of your comment. I never said I am a monk. I never said Buddhist teachings allow or promote homosexuality. If that is not what you are saying then I do not know what you are saying.
Yes homosexuality is freely practised by monks, so as with priests in Christianity. Because some keep denying widespread practise of homosexuality among the monks or its a taboo subject does that mean it does not exist.
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Hatharabirikatharina / October 3, 2018
It is just because – homosexuality or any other forms of sexual origentation is the nature of the human being. There are studies that have proved that monkeys too have shown clear homosexula contacts within their monkey families. So human beings are almost similar to monkeys- should have also the same behavoiur. Geneticlaly. we the human being sare more monkey than any ones else.. See, the genetic composition of the apes are 97.6% similar to that of a human being (I am not talking about Niaanderthals, but homo sapiens).
So Jim Bumsy, whatever you guys said and done, we cant stand on their way behaving those Namal Rajakashes or any others behaving gay. Right ?
I beleive, we the people have to tolerate them today.
If I had a son or daughter who would want to love a same gender person – I would not stand and cut his head ruining his life.
Now I am more tolerant than ever had been before. I respect lot more Sathyagurus lessions from India than our Buddhist monks who have now fallen to all appalling levels… for most of them being that hypocrites. That Uduwe Dhamaloka is believed to be a homosecxual but you guys would not stand against him why ?
Just becasue Rajakshes parayahs… could do anything and live like populists …. the country to this date should ahve been made liar ‘s country right ?
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Ben Ruckus / October 3, 2018
Homosexuality is still illegal in Sri Lanka under Penal Code 365 and 365a.
But this is so every SJW and their non cis dog have an opinion.
Also, NOT A CHILD. She is in Grade 13, final year of A/Ls.
Her name has already been shared locally in Sri Lanka. [Edited out]
Remember it’s “cool” now to be gay or transgender.
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jim softy / October 3, 2018
Regardless of legality the government made a statement that will not enforce the law at the HRC. The law is not enforced at the request of monks.
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Fathima / October 3, 2018
Most of the comments here are very valid and at the same time some come out of jealousy that some parents can not afford such a school.
Also the principal’s letter shows the student as an indisciplined one, we do not see the argument from the student side. Also, these International Schools are popular for letting loose the students not caring what they do on a daily basis, and when the situation reaches to an uncontrollable level, the entire school administration puts the blame on the poor student.
One thing not to forget, the school should also take responsibility on its student attitude and behavior.
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Pissu Hutan / October 3, 2018
Go back to UK then . Problem solved. This is not a British colony anymore.
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“I would never ever send my kids to a homophobic school……”
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There are Christian schools in this country who would not accept non Christian, especially Buddhist students. Is that a phobia too ? Fake outrage.
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Kusal / October 3, 2018
The student in the controversy is wrong because he/she has defied school rules.
now why make big fuss….like we have boys & girls schools functioning as separate entities, the MoE can start separate LGBT schools & homophobic schools to operate as segregated units. For funds close the corrupt Sri Lanka Cricket Board and divert its funds to more productive use, for this school projects.
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Jess Watson / October 3, 2018
The fuss is because the rules are non-rules, and they are oppressive rules, and need to change. That’s the fuss. And a very necessary fuss.
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Kusal / October 5, 2018
damn if you do damn if you don’t …I suggested an alternative so that the students representing the two segments are respected, regardless of what their sexual orientation is. How can a school rules be condemned as oppressive when a teacher tries to discipline a student displaying promiscuous behavior that is not accepted at this particular school.
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Narendran / October 3, 2018
In the image of the letter by Sarah Philipps to the family of the child, which has been widely circulating on social media prior to the publication of this news report, the full name of the child appeared there. Presumably it was published without protecting her name by her parents or her. So what’s point CT protecting her identity?
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Sri / October 3, 2018
I am totally with the principal… I dont see this as a issue with the “Rainbow Cloth”. This is about not following school rules and arrogance. Well this shows that the “International Schools” also do adhere to some sort of disciplinary rule book despite what the common man thinks :V
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SinhalaRadical / October 3, 2018
It would be nice if all sides of the issue were discussed. Have you talked to the School Principal before writing what amounts to be sensationalism. Seems to be we have an issue with a TG student. Was her issues discussed first with the school to allow her to wear trousers? Uniforms are a big reason we sent our kids to private catholic school in the US for formative years; we did not want them to get into the rat-race of fashionable designer clothes, bling, tacky make up etc that we see along with serious indiscipline in US schools. Even as a Buddhist, I did not mind my kid getting a bit of brainwashing because we were capable of discussing faith, and beliefs vs. myths etc as well. In return we got discipline and great education in the formative years. When finally the kid went to public or government high school she was way ahead in English and mathematics than those who came from different backgrounds. This looks like a hatchet job. There are reasons to have uniform regulations. As for the Rainbow flag, I have no issue if someone wants to make a political statement at a fashion show or just wanted to garner attention. Gay people are also human and they have a tough time as it is, to be accepted in a Victorian-pseudoChristian system of more’s. I thought Buddhists and Hindus were a lot more accepting. What can we do to make sure everyone has equal rights? In India Hijras have been there since time immemorial. In Sri Lanka, I noticed how Atul Keshap and other US Embassy officials aggressively promoted the LGBT parade, gay rights and even posed for photos with the leading members in Colombo. Fact is that US has changed now. The Current Secy of State Pompeo IS AGAINST gay marriage. They just stopped issuing visas to gay partners who are not married of foreign diplomats posted in US.
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K.Pillai / October 3, 2018
CT wakes up from a Rip van Winkle sleep to find that ~ “Colombo International School Violates Fundamental Rights Of A Pupil”.
Fundamental rights of Lankans were/are being violated almost continuously.
Is the fundamental rights of a particular student that important?
CT garnishes with a sprinkle of LGBT. Does the child know what LGBT is?
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The actions taken by the principal in deducting marks and excluding the student from all the activities only shows the quality of the principal.
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Youknowwho / October 3, 2018
This is a student of the COLOMBO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL itself writing this. The person who wrote the article has no clue what is being going on within the school regarding this. Mrs. Phillips, yes she is British woman, whatever whatever but she’s got nothing to do with the school rules, it seems that the writer of this article has no basic knowledge whatsoever as he/she doesn’t know that rules of an organization get changed by the owners and the principal has mere or less no authority in this. Knowing Mrs. Phillips for quite a while now, she is one of the most open minded women I’ve ever come across, she had to take this action because the school rules and and moreover the country’s laws itself don’t permit the school to allow the pride flag to be shown in front of such a large audience. In the fashion show, there was a 1000+ crowd and if even if one of them don’t like act which the child did and reported it to the cops, then the school would be held in charge of violating a Civil Act.
The child may have his/her opinions but in a country, one is supposed to follow the law. And the whole concept of LGBT is legalized in Sri Lanka as of now.
I WOULD LIKE THE WRITER OF THIS ARTICLE AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAD THINGS TO COMMENT IN BETWEEN TO, FOR HEAVEN SAKE KNOW THE LAW BEFORE POSTING SOMETHING AT SUCH AN OFFENSIVE LEVEL AGAINST MRS.PHILLIPS.
I know for a fact that news channels like this like drama at any level in order to increase the inflow of people into their website, i rather advise ya’ll to find some other substantial news as the only thing you need in order to earn money is to increase the traffic onto your website.
AS THERE IS WISE SAYING WHICH SAYS, DON’T JUDGE A GLACIER BY JUST LOOKING AT IT’S TIP.
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Sinhala_Man / October 4, 2018
An excellent explanation from student, “Youknowwho” except we’ll never know who. However, I have no reason to doubt its authenticity.
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Chiv has written sense in non-controversial terms. Schools will reflect the societies that support them. So, there is a group that would like to be in a school like CIS. However, I think it is the duty of the allegedly gay single parent (see the comment that “old codger” has inserted towards the top of the collection) to be mindful also of the climate in the country’s hinterland.
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Has LGBT been legalised in Sri Lanka – if so why qualify with the word “concept”? :
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http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Removing-barriers-for-LGBT-people-in-Sri-Lanka-152293.html
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Progress will have to be made inoffensively (that doesn’t mean surreptitiously!).
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I’ve searched the web carefully for the full account of this story, but found only:
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http://www.island.lk/2008/02/23/opinion6.html
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That tells how a Sinhalese Medium Buddhist girl was initially denied admission to Vishaka College, Colombo, on account of having a Tamil name. Resolved in a sense – but why did only she have to go all the way to the Supreme Court?
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For me, that was a more basic issue.
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The more serious kids at CIS, please spend time on this:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/a-wake-up-call-an-open-letter-to-state-minister-of-finance-state-minister-of-national-policies-economic-affairs/
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In some other article, the author showed himself familiar with Italian Opera. Remember this, kids; we all ultimately survive because there are housemaids toiling in Arabia.
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Dedo / October 4, 2018
xD Ya…like we all follow the law here ever so obediently when the LAW itself here can do UNLAWFUL things
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JD / October 3, 2018
This Jim softy, DEFINITELY A PROTESTATNT, is some one who uses a some one else’s USer ID and talk against buddhism. IDIOT. the west has so many christians converted to buddhists. Ask the nswer for your problem. Because, Your objective is talking against buddhism. christianity, POPE and the church were established by the Roman Kingdom. So in it’s origin, it si political. bible was written later that is why British King GEORGR, I suppose, started writing it. bible is a collection of writings of so-called Saints who came after the JEsus christ. So, bible is fiction. Almighty god and Lucifer aka Satan are their own devilisih thoughts which destroyed the Roman Creation. Go to WIKIPEDIA and see the grandure of sexual life of Christian priests and how they destroyed the children and women in the world. Human rights, My foot.
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Kevin / October 3, 2018
..and Catholic priests too
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Kevin / October 3, 2018
What can you expect in a land of troglodytes where Anuanyakas want dictatorships and Cardinals don’t want human rights ? Even the Brits (assuming the Principal is a Brit) get corrupted and sink to local prejudices though, before the Brits made it illegal there was no such law in Lanka. This child is now traumatised for life. The School should stop using the handle “International” and just say “Parochial” meaning intolerant, discriminating, illiberal, reactionary, insular, small-minded, petty, blinkered, inward-looking, narrow, hidebound, prejudiced, bigoted.
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neil munaweera / October 3, 2018
The bottom line is that neither the school nor the whole country for that matter has a policy on transgender people. In this modern world things like dress code where ever that exists or rest room facilities or even prison for such people have to be addressed .
The child at the risk of being villified and expelled is bringing this to our attention. Feel sorry for the principal being thrown in for such a situation for no fault of hers.
neil munaweera
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wannihami / October 3, 2018
Our Labrador likes to make love to one particular chair, does that mean he is fernisexual? Sorry people can we talk about something more intellectual like the Rupee or the Constitution…
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2018
wannihami
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“Our Labrador likes to make love to one particular chair, does that mean he is fernisexual?”
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Or your leg.
Does that mean he is wannisexual?
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chiv / October 3, 2018
Analyst, My Brother, I pretty much said in line with you. My nephew is an alumnus of CIS who is now settled abroad and doing extremely well. I am well aware of the reputation of the esteem principal. I myself owe all my success to my teachers and school. From the letter it is obvious the school has shown enough and above tolerance and patience towards the student in expecting some change. My opinion is these private schools are currently the back bone of our cash starved educational system.I agree with school dress codes and the need to strictly follow the rules regardless of a students race/religion and sexual preference.I mentioned teachers as true service providers. My last point was about the hypocrisy in taking up this as an issue, when Hijab and refusal of admission to a non buddhist student were not worth enough to raise. Doolallying???? Anyway thank you my friend because of you I learned a new word today. (I had to look up )
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Analyst / October 4, 2018
Chiv ! thank you my friend , shake hands ! All Good my dear friend.
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Fathima / October 3, 2018
Analyst,
Where does it say that a principal’s letter has to be trusted??? In Sri Lanka, not many people respect principals after many being caught bribe-taking. Or your mindset is still flexible with colonial masters?
For me the letter looks like a revenge. Why the letter comes from the same involved Acting Principal, not from School Administration?
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