January 2, 2013 | Colombo Gazette
The
army has denied reports that a female student had been hospitalized after being
allegedly subjected to harassment at the Sri Lanka Air Force Training
Centre, Diyatalawa.
Army
spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya says no student undergoing leadership
training at Diyatalawa or any other camp has been subjected
to harassment as alleged.
He
said that the student in question had been interviewed by the Commanding
Officer of the Camp after her father, who is a government servant, had spoken
to him regarding alleged inconveniences she is facing during training.
“During
the interview the said student has informed the following difficulties that she
is faced with. She has to work according to a time schedule and has to wait for
everyone in the daily routine, which according to her is an inconvenience. She
has a rash in her foot and hence unable to wear shoes. The commanding officer
has then asked whether there has been any harrassment and the student has
assured that there had been none what so ever,” the army spokesman said.
Then
the Commanding Officer has explained that when one works in a team one has to
do things together as a team and for that one may have to wait for others to
gather. Waiting 5-10 minutes should not be considered an inconvenience, that is
part of diversity that all are not able to wash, eat, or get dressed as fast as
another.
“On
the matter of not being able to wear shoes, she has been excused from wearing
until a rash that she was diagnosed with is cured,” he said.
He
also said that this morning, after news reports of the student being harassed
was published an inquiry was made from all the students (approx 700) and all
confirmed that they have no problems either in the facilities provided or
training imparted by the relevant authorities, Brigadier Wanigasooriya said.
