Govt responsible for death of student undergoing leadership training - CTU

The Government should accept responsibility for the death of a student yesterday after falling ill while undergoing leadership training, says the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU).

Sandaruwan Jayaratne, who was selected to the Jaffna University, passed away after being admitted to the Kandy Hospital due to a sudden illness while undergoing leadership training at the Gannoruwa Army Camp.  

The student from Nochchiyagama in Kudawewa was selected to university after sitting for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination in the Commerce stream at the Nochchiyagama Vidyadarshi Vidyalaya.

He was admitted to the Kandy Hospital last Sunday (January 26) due to an illness and underwent surgery two days later. He was being treated in the Kandy Hospital ICU when he passed away at around 12.45am yesterday (Feb. 01).

The Government should accept responsibility for this death, CTU General Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe said, adding that authorities should take necessary measures to prevent such casualties during sports. 

He also stated that school students and university students should be subject to examinations before they are thrust into any form of physical activities.