SRI LANKA'S ANTI-RAGGING LAW IGNORED

The death he death of a student at Sabaragamuwa University by suicide over reasons allegedly linked to ragging sparks concerns over the lack of awareness of anti-ragging legislation and its enforcement, according to officials.

- By KELUM BANDARA

Despite ragging being a criminal offence in terms of the Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act, freshers continue to be subjected to physical and mental harassment, even leading to deaths and hospitalisations at times.

Any person convicted in terms of the provisions of this piece of legislation is punishable by a jail term with rigorous imprisonment and payment of compensation to the victim.