A cross section of Facebook female commentators made up mainly of mothers have unified in one voice and expressed their anguish and disgust, with reference to World Rugby Educator and St. Peter’s College coach Sanath Martis’ assault on one of his rugby student kids, which was caught on video camera recently.
The group of mothers’ one plea is that Coach Martis be punished for his actions and also be banned from coaching children in future.
A lady named Tina Edward Gunawardhana wrote “If it was my child that man will be wearing his gonads as ear rings”
The video clip containing this ugly incident soon went viral on social media and instantly had many commentators both in Sri Lanka and overseas expressing their displeasure regarding Coach Martis’ shocking assault.
Coach Sanath Martis who over the years was alleged to have massacred many of his rugby students in the name of discipline, was finally caught, red handed on tape, when the incident was recorded by a spectator who had come to witness the friendly rugby encounter played between St. Peter’s versus D.S. Senanayake at Havelock Park in January 2019.
Ross Mitchell the Consultant General Manager of Asian Rugby the Asian arm that comes under World Rugby confirmed that both Asian Rugby and World Rugby have officially communicated with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union regarding this incident.
Many are of the hope that the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) will investigate this matter thoroughly and submit their findings to Asian Rugby, so that appropriate disciplinary action could be taken by World Rugby against their appointed Educator and Trainer Sanath Martis.
However, over the years, the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) have always been at loggerheads with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.
The SLSRFA when it suits them best go on to state that they are run independently, as they also report to the Ministry of Education.
It was only as recent as in 2014 when the SLSRFA in protest, blackened out the SLRFU logos off the Sri Lanka Under 20 players rugby jerseys during in the Rugby Asiad which was played at Race Course grounds in Colombo. The stance taken that day by officials of the SLSRFA was a direct insult to the SLRFU, indicating that they do come directly under the Ministry of Sport.
Meanwhile a prominent past pupil of S. Peter’s College speaking to Colombo Telegraph on condition of anonymity said that this incident had also been reported to the National Child Protection Authority.
“Even if the child or parent does not officially complain and if St. Peter’s College authorities also decide to brush this incident aside, the law of the country permits us to officially complain since it is with relevance to a juvenile. Children come under the state and the state has powers to protect the children even if their parents decide to hush things up” the Peterite old boy said.
Strangely till to date the current Yahapalanaya led Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, has also continued to remain mute despite this incident hitting Sri Lanka and global audiences.
“I watched the entire video and also have been following all the comments made by several parents on social media. I condemn this sadistic behaviour” an educational expert told Colombo Telegraph on condition of anonymity.
A cross section of Facebook comments are found below:
Lana de Zoysa I must agree with shanze. I firmly believe that if any teacher or coach needs to use physical abuse on a child then he /she is incapable of doing his/ job ! There are a million ways to discipline children . They too have self respect and should be taught to have self respect. This will only destroy it. He should never be permitted to come anywhere near a playing field again !
Shanella Gunaratna Fiona abuse is not discipline sorry don’t agree … A month or a year is not the problem! Another player kicked by this player is proof to show that the very player who has been abused is of the mindset that abuse is ok. As the seed has been planted by this ass of a coach that practises the method “abuse is the right form of discipline”
Abuse of women, abuse of children, rape, domestic violence is all a result of this sort of abusive action.We are so ready to protect this ass of a coach saying his action of abuse was right. Then all the abuse that goes in in society should also be ignored! Is it not? Like the so called white van culture , racial abuse, religious abuse!!!! So please dont pick and choose! Abuse is abuse in which ever form or shape it is served!
C. Delani De Silva I just dont get how a person can be a coach when he dosent have the 1st discipline of self to begin with. needs to go on a diet and set an example not slap kids
Shiranti Haputantri It doesn’t matter what the player has done, there’s a way to take disciplinary action, thrashing a child is not the way to it. This kind of nonsense should not be tolerated at all. I hope this nasty man will not be hired by anyone until he get his act together.
Aruni Mahipala Do you know what the coach ( an adult) did to the boy? Taught a lesson? Do you think he learnt anything being humiliated like that?
Cheryl Ranasinghe It is unbelievable how people miscontstrue actions for discipline as abuse
Christina De Zoysa That is a monster and he’s not even trying to hide it. Shame on the parents of these children for allowing this thug to bully their kids. Teachers/coaches should not be given the right to lay a finger on other people’s kids. That right needs to be taken away from them completely! They’re not gods! They WILL end up taking out their frustrations on our kids, it’s going to happen when you give them that authority.
Ayanthi Gunasekera How ever good the coach is , this is unacceptable.- what is the message he is giving his students?
Ayanthi Gunasekera Lilamani Goonewardene , one of our friends grand son, was selected in to a rugged team. Only 11 years . Apparently some boys who could not, make the cut broke his leg! Imagine how angry these little kids have to be.
Sujeewa Suriyaaratchie Looks to me Principle and the School Sports authorities are mum over the bullying and smacking of the Kid and violating the Fundamental Rights of the Kid and try to sweep it under the carpet in the name of Rugby.A disgrace to school sports officials and for the sports. Do not let these thugs continue as coaches in school sports.
Sandra Obeyesekera Is this how they make a boy tough? Oh dear what outcome! No wonder! St Peters! I personally kno a student who busted his eardrum by a teacher and another who was assaulted when the boy was 6 or 7 by a maths master waaaaaaay back and the parents kept mum f fear of repraisal! Violence oh violence how it thrives! No wonder they condone this behaviour..the Victorian tradition of using violence to toughen boys goes decades back! People r still in the dark ages! Physical violence is mostly used in boys schools to control boys and emotional abuse occurs in girls schools..to control girls…seen it witnessed it myself over the years…..Sad as. …there r many respectful ways to toughen a child in the 21st century! Believe me!
Anne Peris WHO THE HELL IS THAT THUG? HOW DARE HE SLAP THAT BOY THERE ARE OTHER FORMS OF PUNISHMENT, IF THAT WAS ONE OF THE RAJAPAKSA’S BOY’S WOULD THAT BRUTE HAVE SLAPPED THEM TOO? I HOPE THAT BOYS PARENTS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IF THAT HAPPENED HERE IN AUSTRALIA, ALL HELL WOULD HAVE BROKEN LOOSE.
Melanie Jayasinghe How dare he does this,such a bully. Pls sack him at once he should not be tolerated!
Shiranti Haputantri Is this the spirit of sports coming from an coach or master whoever…I guess the parents and the young boy will tolerate to keep his place in the team, they work hard and sacrifice their studies to so much get into these teams, isn’t it? Just watching the clip has anger me so much, hope someone will have the backbone to get this man out for good. Such arrogance shouldn’t be tolerated at all
Shiranti Haputantri Thameez Nazeer pathetic how you accept this nonsense inhuman behavior. If it was in another country this bully would have been taken away in no time…
Rachel Richards Whoever posted this please indicate the school and if possible the name of the coach. He should be banned from coaching for life. Humiliating and hitting a student will not get him anywhere.
Carol Wijeyekoon Mauffer Usoof yes it cud have happened, either purposely or accidentally. But this is no way, specially, coach shud handle this situation…it’s really de-grading himself…his low breed.
Shelagh Paul St Peters? wow.. ! worse things must have happened in the days without Social Media.. wonder why he slapped him…? rough play happen in the scrum.. ! yes he should not have slapped him… .
Crizzp Papii L Davnel Davy I recon….. Coach is not getting any sex … When he’s home maybe his woman dominants him…. N takes the frustration on kids…..
Carol Wijeyekoon Aman Ameer parent doesn’t know. Now it has gone viral n should be published in the papers & social media too…where are they? All silent.
Tashiya Captain Absolutely correct Imran Saibo. Just because it happened to you or still happens … does not MAKE IT RIGHT. No one has the right to hit ANYONE. This is exactly the type of behaviour [and some justifying] it that leads to abuse of spouse, children etc.
Jasmin Fernando There are so many like him out there. This man should be sacked and be charged for child abuse.
Tashiya Captain DISGRACE. In this day and age. He should be banned from coaching. Times have changed .. there are other more acceptable methods of discipline and getting results. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM. Just because it happened to you 20 years ago does NOT MAKE IT NORMAL OR RIGHT.
This SOB Shud be immediately reported with this footage to the Police, Principal of School n Ministry +++ Minister of sports:- Are u sleeping.??? Have a look, what OUR children are going thru….!!! Come on…
He should be jailed
Nadeera Nanayakkara Copied from psychologytoday – A large meta-analysis of studies on the effects of punishment found that the more physical punishment children receive, the more defiant they are toward parents and authorities, the poorer their relationships with parents, the more likely they are to report hitting a dating partner or spouse. They are also more likely to suffer mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse problems, and less likely to empathize with others or internalize norms of moral behavior.
Priyanthi Silva Shameful. To assault a boy in public. If he had to be corrected for something, he should have been called aside and scolded in private not publicly assaulted. Whoever that person is he is a bully. should be sacked immediately. Thank you for publicizing these incidents. At least then maybe this sort of thing will stop!
Imran Saibo WTF 
this kind of behaviour is unforgivable, condoning it simply because it was a practice is the same as saying slavery existed, so let it go on . Only a illiterate, uneducated moron would agree with this kind of action .This man whoever he is should be prosecuted by law for assault and battery , I would like to see this hero do the same to the child of a person who wields influence , bully , thug , sadist are too mild a terms to describe this piece of work
The group of mothers’ one plea is that Coach Martis be punished for his actions and also be banned from coaching children in future.
Blu man / February 20, 2019
Leave the care of our children entirely to moms and the entire nation will suffer.
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / February 21, 2019
Blu man,
I couldn’t agree with you more.
When my two children were growing, my son was a real ruffian. My wife used to always say, a Father is the best caregiver and even today that golden woman’s golden words still resonate in my ears.
When he was growing up, even my voice used to get his attention and if I raised it, he would always listen. But I must say one thing. I never raised my hand on him. Just my words and commands were enough and he also had immense respect for me.
Here in Canada, even when school teachers write a note to the parents, they don’t address it to the Dad. They address it to the Mom. That is because of bloody feminism. But when they need money for the schools or some fundraiser, BINGO. They lovingly send the note to the Dad. And then they also complaint about stereotypical gender roles.
And these SL moms are no better. They can screech like monkeys but when it comes to opening the wallets, it has to be the Dads. If I was Sanath Martis, I’d get this SoB to pull his pants down, take a Cane and give a bloody good whacking right in front of those Moms in true Sri Lankan style. And then I’ll have the opposition players to take turns on him.
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Rarityminds / February 21, 2019
RSP,
none of us is yet clear as to why the coach had to be that aggressive on his student.
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They just added as a step of disipline the boy.
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I believe, if you as a father 2 would QUOTE “If I was Sanath Martis, I’d get this SoB to pull his pants down, take a Cane and give a bloody good whacking right in front of those Moms in true Sri Lankan style. And then I’ll have the opposition players to take turns on him.UNQUOTE, then you too should have been caught red handed.
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I think the boy in the picture is not a small child. He should be in his mid teens. The kind of punishments you detailed above are really beyond all ethics. How can he face his commarades again ? I am from Germany. I have not seen students being beaten by their coaches in their physical trainings.
Most of the coaches are like commanders and you the kind of retired army men should be well aware of the fact about your disiplinary actions. There too, you would not treat your soldiers the way you have been suggesting above. So please be away not promoting sadism. Thanks god, you the kind, live no longer in SL.
I can now imagine, how you guys may have gone on the tamil srilankens in the north.
God bless srilanka. I am sinhalaya, but would never respect the kind of CHANDIAs
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / February 22, 2019
RarityMinds,
I have no anger against the boy. But my grudge is against these Colombo 7 moms who think they know what’s what.
Being on Facebook 24/7 while their husbands work so hard in their workplaces, gossiping like demalichchas and then coming here and telling coaches what to do.
I mean forget about punishing this boy, if I was a coach and these know-it-all moms come to interfere with my coaching strategy, I will show them my manliness in no uncertain terms.
Mister, I am a veteran of the Armed forces of Sri Lanka. And no monkey comes to interfere with my team.
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Rarityminds / February 22, 2019
RLRSP,
thanks for you swift response, but I dont think it is right to punish the teenage sons/daughters of that age; the way you have added above. Going back to my schooling, if i had been punished that way, I could go in to pieces not being able to face my comrades in the class after this incident.
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. That is a period (puberty), children in general would change their thoughts and minds and make efforts to learn lot more by themselves (transition age). Assuming, you may have studied psychology at least to some extent. No physical assuaults would ever help in childgrowth. I wonder how some europeans the way, how they control over even most mischievous kids.. by intelligent way of communication with the children, they achieve this. The very same should be the usual practice in class rooms/gyms in Canada. No doubt about that. If a trainer would use the term ” PLEASE” in a tone that the child could obey to it… help always. The term please (in German BITTE) is very powerful than anything else. .
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Secondly, Not just RESTRICT to Cmbo 07 mothers, many coming from varied walkss, mothers in general are worried of their children being treated not well by teachers today.
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And to your “Mister, I am a veteran of the Armed forces of Sri Lanka. And no monkey comes to interfere with my team”
Here I would like to know you became a veteran from the day one ? It should be by divine forces right ? This is just an evasive statment… sorry, please explain
To tell you ” I am a veteran” mentaliy simply bothers me… time has come OUR sinhalaya to see it back.. — one of my japanese friends ( who is a professor who just visited the country for some edu forums) had left a note.. srilankens could improve their life standards easily if they could work on their superiority complex…or inferiority complex…. .. I dont think my japanese friend is fully wrong…
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Native Vedda / February 22, 2019
Rarityminds
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The retard types:
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“If I was Sanath Martis, I’d get this SoB to pull his pants down, take a Cane and give a bloody good whacking right in front of those Moms in true Sri Lankan style.”
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Don’t you think this is an old pervert who could be a practicing paedophilia. He seems to be interested in kinky sex with children. Retarded’s name should have been registered in sex offenders register and sent to prison.
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This is not the person nor the time to reason out with paedophilia.
This paedo seems to be reliving the moment as to how he would have enjoyed by whacking the bum of the child.
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Here is a dangerous Child abuser. Its time Retard is sent to prison.
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Rarityminds / February 22, 2019
Agree with you more.. wunsche Dir alles gute ! Native Vedda. Long time no see. I now kept away from CT all these months for one good reason, I thought we will never be able to make a change palpably. I know they have that in their blood.
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Native Vedda / February 22, 2019
Rarityminds
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Vielen Dank. wünsche dir das Gleiche.
(Thanks very much. Wish you the same.)
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When the going gets tough The tough get going.
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This retarded is a Walter Mitty kind of character.
A pervert.
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / February 22, 2019
Nietteawa,
Where did I ever promote any of the sick stuff you sem to be accusing me of?
I am a strong proponent of the death penalty for paedos.
It has nothing to do with strong corporal punishments from the older days you fool.
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / February 22, 2019
RarityMinds,
It’s a pleasure exchanging ideas with you. I too think you Jap friend is absolutely right about Sri Lankans there.
You may have read in another post of mine, I never raised my hand on my own son. Anything, I needed to tell, I used to use advice him in a soft tone. And speaking softly is so hard for an ex soldier.
Of course, there were times, I had to raise my voice at him but he always knew I would not hit him.
The problem here are the interferring Moms.
As for this Nietteawa, take no notice of him. Look what he said above. He sees something sexual in nature when I was talking about discipline. What a sick F.
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Rarityminds / February 22, 2019
Thanks for your response.
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Moms behaviours are well connected with their genetics and education (education is not just school +university but how they themselves have been brought up). I do have some problems whenever I get to with our female managers (my field is Pharma industry); sometimes for tiny issues. The kind of problems i dont see in my male collegues. . X chrmosome that a female possese in their genal code makes their behaviours totally unique to them.
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Not just srilankens, but also any others caught by colonial mentality, HAVE much in common. I have got on with lot of africans in Europe (academics). Even if they dont have lanken style caste systems, but they do have social classes. As is the case in SL (colombo people), those classes in Africa behave as if they are no similar ot their indegenous communities. That is point us to see, that colonism created lot more problems in our cultures. Psychologists/sociologist and the like professionals could explain you lot more in that line.
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You may have not hit your kids, but what you had explained above sounded somewhat cruel. I just analysed it assuming if I faced it by my coach then….That may be the reason me to formulate it harsh above. Sorry about that. I think people like you just write, but may well be what you meant is just your anger.
.And. I am in the view, that average families down there in SL, most of all, the average parents should get trained first (both fathers and mothers) with them becoming parents how they should nurture their offpsings.
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Rarityminds / February 22, 2019
to be contd,
I ve got families down there in CMBO, whose grown up kids have now been caught by drugs and all the new kind of CLUB going culture. None of these kids belong to the categories tha never got the love and affection/care from their parents as they grow up. To my knowledge, they got love and care from grand parents and relatives exceeding the limits. Sometimes, they were over protective by their mothers. Sometimes, unlike in our days ( I am an early quinquagenarian) today kids get almost everything nevertheless the tendency of going wrong is inevitable for some reasons. May well be information technology and various other factors.. I have nehews (Isipanathana, St Joseph) that went fully wrong in their teenage days. Even today, one of them behaves as if he does not belong average lankens. He is not a mongle person, but his would not change even if anyone would make every effort to change his mind for good. Girls are even worst. Most of them today would trend to commit suicide if anything would not work the way they feel it right. They behave as others may have no feelings. Going back to my days in the country, we had never been a burden to our parents ( i mean average youth).
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I believe today the society is totaly misled by politicians + media ( lucrative business); this combination just ignore facts outreaching to the masses. Each time back in home country, I intentionally get on with various walks of people (Tuk tuk driver to University Dons) for my own source of info. On my return to EUrope, i analyse them accordingly.
to be ctd.
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Rarityminds / February 22, 2019
RLRSP,
By the way, lankens living out of ROTTEN island (landscape wise lanka is the beautiful place, but I dont consider people to be fine that is why i call it a rotten place filled with malice and jealoucy) can see it better. So long they are cooped up in LANKEN DEN, they dont have comparisons. I too think my jap friend’s analysis is very correct. Our people should open up lot more so that they can exchange it with their own communities. Just imagine, the way sinhalaya add their comments to YT accompanying info exchanges. Over 90% of commenters add their comment in ultra filthy langauge, starting always with “umbe ammata”: Ironically, the very same I have got to see by my eyes, wearing bunch of PIRITH noole around their wrists, and so called buddhists that keep visiting to temples, some times many times than they are used to go their bathrooms. ha ha.
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I think you guys in Canada also have various nationalities that migrated to that part of the world. We exchange a lot with them in Europe even if I myself have not been to african and south american continents yet.
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Rarityminds / February 22, 2019
Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / February 22, 2019;
:
Please add your genuine and unbiased thoughts about what you think the way they should handle the high crimes and its investigations related to GOTA. If SF to be treated going beyond all ethics and morals, but GOTA even to arrest yet today is a big puzzle to me.
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Your unbiased analysis could give us CT readers a clear view about you.
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You as one another seniors – the way you guys think of impartialityy in court cases – are really important to know. I myself would never like previledging the impunity in crimes.
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I personally know General Fonseka and his circles, he would not take any side as I know it. I AM NOT A PARTY SYMPTHISER to lanken politics. But I always stand behind DEMOCRACY. That is why I joined hand with UNP led anti Rajakshe groups in defeating their FAKE cabinet snaped like a glass wall by mid of Dec 2018. We therefore, would like you as an insider of the war related ground handlings to share your unbiased thoughts about them.
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Defeating the rebells is one thing, but the credit earned that ot be abused as their licence to promote RAJAKASHE racism is an another thing.
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Link is below:
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/how-fcids-top-cop-prevented-gotas-arrest-in-the-d-a-rajapaksa-case/#respond
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Rarityminds / February 22, 2019
Btw, as you just refer the word ” NITTAWA” what came to my mind was, Nittawa is being ghosting in some parts of the country today. At least few SM YTube vedios reveales some rural families to have been hurt by NITTAWA ATTACKS. I really dont know what is behind that. May well be, lanken SOCIAL media (one another kind of blue flies ) may create new stories to earn their living.
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Native Vedda / February 23, 2019
Rarityminds
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Retard does not have a clue about Nittaewo and not ” NITTAWA” as he very thoughtfully states.
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Probably he was one of the Grease Yakka who was hired by Gota and his goons to keep the entire country on Panic Mode, possibly distract the people’s attention away from their absolute corrupt rule.
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bombilib / February 20, 2019
need to break his arms to teach him, other such abusers & the peoople/priests who protect these culprits, a lesson, thereby protect our children
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Seelawathie Jayasinghe / February 22, 2019
This is a country, where the innocient youth were whitevanned or totured by the direct patronage of former state; not just arms and legs, but they killed such rugby players by sons of former president – these were well investigated to some extent until the prima facie evidnece came up, revealed that even former first lady was involved in the murder.
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Ananda Waragoda / February 20, 2019
All this began when a mentally deranged guy(who thinks he is a Lion) from a Colombo 5 College, who had an axe to grind with Martis decided to “go to town” with the incident which had taken place over a month ago. Why? Because he was banned from Havelocks SC and Martis is the coach of this club now.
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Wera / February 21, 2019
He may have had an axe to grind but this issue is not as simple as you think. What he has done inadvertently is to open a can of worms. This is one of many so called leading schools with a very sordid past of child abuse masquerading as discipline. It is high time to reveal what has been hidden in plane site. I recall one more incident that I will now highlight. I am doing this on purpose to make people open their eyes at least now. There was a well known drunkard who taught in the primary. Our grade two class was right next to the male staff room. I am a witness to him pouring him self a drink of Pol or Gal. You could smell the alcohol on his breadth. He did this openly. When he lost this temper in class he would unleash a whole sale assault on a poor student. These are small boys in grades 3 and 4. He eventually became my brother’s class teacher. For about six months he did not show up to work leaving his class unattended or covered by an acting teacher. Finally my mother got up the courage to go see the primary principle. The explanation she was given astounded her. Aparently in addition to being a drunkard the man owned a bakery and the bakery was having some problems hence he was attending to that instead of showing up to teach. Rev father goes he is very close to retirement so I don’t want to fire him! I’d rather wait for him to retire!
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Dr No / February 20, 2019
Hmm .. interesting comments. Has the ‘ masculine ladies” spared a thought for the child who was kicked in the face, before hanging testicles from earlobes? Supposing he lost an eye, what would be the story?
May be being from a superior school one could kick and abuse those from a less well to do school!
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gal banda / February 22, 2019
I have got slapped ( once ) by our ex DP, ‘kataya’ at Royal college, and gotten me to write school rules and regulations 100 times..but I still respect him immensely. After him, the discipline of the school has gone to dogs. The admin has lost the grip on students and the students have taken the upper hand. In this case, Martis hits the boy not once, but thrice. This is a malicious assault in public. Just imagine the sad status of this young boy, who stood up to this mad coach like a man, standing straight, if the boy had invited his girl friend to come and watch the game. This coach should be sacked and be in jail.
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Babalathappu / February 23, 2019
Please add more about that Galbando, what was your age then ?
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Be happy that they did not murder you as was the case with Thadjudeen right ?.
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Thadjudeen not just murdered down but his body parts were smuggled and kept in their labs for further use. How peityless Rajapapakshe rascals should have been.
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What can go through the head of victimized Thadjudeen mother, not just few months but how many years ? would that have been the procedure if ONE of Rajakashe sons was murdered ? : Why this injustice ?
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