Controversial ‘Osari Pota’ issue :Eight parents meet Governor

A group of parents yesterday (28), in a letter to the Central Province Governor have stated that they had given permission to their children to participate in the controversial wedding which was aimed at setting a Guinness World Record.

During a meeting with the Governor Niluka Ekanayake yesterday (28), the parents said, that the children did not suffer during the event as some media alleged.

However, the Governor said that it was only eight parents who had submitted their approval and therefore, the opinion of the others will be sought. “Even though some parents did not object their children being used in the Osari Pota wedding it is however, against the law to use students during school hours for such an event. It is also against the regulations of the country that protects children’s rights,” Ekanayake said. She also said that the parents may be summoned during the investigation.

Investigations have revealed that the 250 students were assembled at the school premises from 2.00 a.m. on that day. The incident drew flak both locally and internationally since it involved schoolchildren that had been taken out of their classrooms for a private event. The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and the Education Ministry are conducting separate investigations into the incident.

Moreover, the Governor is also in hot water for defending Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake who also participated in the event.

Governor Ekanayake had earlier cleared Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake of blame and instead said that the regional education head should take responsibility for the event. The saree trail in the incident was three kilometres in length. The present record of a 2.8 kilometre saree fall is currently held by an Indian bride.