Constitutional crisis leaves northern students on the streets

Confusion is spreading over the constitutional crisis in the country with two governments in place. A case in point is what happened in the Northern province which is now under direct Presidential rule.

The latest victims were Northern school students who were only informed that the authorities had decided to close the schools due to bad weather after they arrived in their classrooms braving the gusty winds and the rains.

Some of the government school students were stranded on the streets when Provincial Educational authorities decided to close all schools on that day in-view of adverse weather situations caused due to cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’.

The closure announcement was sent to schools by 8.30 a.m. By that time, majority of the students who are currently sitting for year- end term exams had turned up in the schools and were later told no exams would be held due to poor attendance of students as some parts were severely damaged due to heavy winds and rains.

Parents and students questioned why Provincial Educational department directed by Governor Reginald Cooray failed to issue an early announcement as authorities were taking many precautionary steps with Disaster Management authorities and other agencies as severe weather warnings were issued by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

This is despite international weather stations and our Meteorology department warning that the northern province would face the impact of the cyclonic conditions.