Inquiry into dilapidated buildings at schools after a schoolgirl dies under a concrete wall

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Ministry of Education has instructed all Provincial Education Directors to take necessary action with regard to dilapidated buildings and premises at all schools across the island.

The Ministry of Education said that the Zonal Education Directors will make inquiries at school level.

A statement from the Ministry of Education added that inquiries must be made with regard to dilapidated buildings and premises at all schools, and necessary measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of the students, while creating a proper school environment across all institutions.

Sri Lankan authorities have also appointed a committee to probe the incident that led to the death of a student at the Weragoda Primary School in Wellampitiya.

The committee was appointed by the Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke.

The Governor of the Western Province stated that after receiving the investigation report within a week, necessary action will be taken against those accountable.

Shehansa Netsarani Kodagoda, a grade one student, died tragically when the concrete wall at her school, where the water taps were installed, collapsed.

She was the youngest child in the family and resided in the Wellampitiya area.

Shehansa's mother works abroad, and she grew up under the care of her grandmother and aunt.

The Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, stated that one of the other five students who were admitted with injuries in the accident is receiving further treatment in the intensive care unit.