Published on Daily FT - Friday 28th November 2025
Read full article at https://www.ft.lk/opinion/Royal-College-alumnus-Open-Letter-to-Prime-Minister-raises-questions-over-collection-of-money-for-SAGA-2025/14-784925
Evidence for Illegal Money Collection from Grade 3, 4 & 5
To:
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka & Minister of Education
Colombo.
Date: November 26, 2025
Subject: Is Royal College Above the Law? An Urgent Appeal Regarding Illegal Money Collection for "SAGA 2025"
Dear Madam Prime Minister,
I write to you not only as an alumnus of Royal College but as a concerned citizen who believes in the rule of law. I am compelled to pen this letter on behalf of hundreds of parents who are currently held hostage by a system that demands their silence. These parents have no choice but to comply with exploitative demands or risk their children being rejected from opportunities they deserve.
Upon assuming office, you made a definitive statement that unauthorized monetary collections in schools must cease. You explicitly instructed that if payments are collected for valid reasons, they must strictly adhere to Ministry guidelines and be routed transparently through the School Development Society (SDS).
However, the events currently unfolding at Royal College prove that your instructions are being treated as mere words. It appears the school administration and the organizers believe they are above the law or that your Ministry lacks the power to enforce compliance at this specific institution.
The Issue: SAGA 2025 and Systematic Financial Irregularities
"SAGA" is a major fundraiser organized by the SDS if Royal College, While it is a valuable platform for students to showcase their talents, it has become a vehicle for financial malpractice that bypasses all procurement guidelines.
I draw your attention to the following irregularities based on the attached evidence:
1. Unauthorized Collection and Lack of Transparency
Attached is a letter signed by a "Chief Coordinator" named Mr. Vajira Kodithuwakku. Who authorized this individual to solicit funds directly from parents? Why is money for an SDS-organized event not being collected through official SDS bank accounts?
There are no receipts issued for these collections. This results in zero accountability and a complete lack of transparency regarding where these funds actually go.
2. The "Last Minute" Manufactured Crisis
It has become a perennial excuse in Royal College scandals to delay organization until the eleventh hour. The attached letter claims that due to "short notice" other suppliers refused the order, leaving only one specific supplier, "Badra Costume," available to fulfill it.
This is a calculated manufacturing of urgency. The "SAGA" souvenir fundraiser began months ago. The booking of the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium was done well in advance. Did the organizers plan for students to perform in school uniforms? Why was the need for costumes suddenly realized at this late stage? This delay appears intentional to justify a shortcut that bypasses tender procedures.
3. Violation of Procurement Processes
With over 600 students participating and costume prices ranging from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 6,500, the total expenditure amounts to millions of rupees.
Can such an expenditure be carried out without a proper procurement process? By using the excuse of urgency, the organizers have handed a monopoly to a single pre-planned supplier. This raises serious questions about who benefits from this arrangement and why competitive bidding was suppressed.
4. Coercion Disguised as Consent
The attached letter forces parents to sign a declaration of "willingness." This is a legal facade used to cover up the illegality of the collection. It frames a mandatory fee as a voluntary contribution. Parents are stripped of their right to choose.
If the SDS cannot fund the costumes, the proper and ethical approach would be to provide the design specifications and materials to the parents. This would allow parents to stitch the costume at home or source it from a tailor of their choice. Instead, they are forced into a single, high-cost option dictated by the organizer.
Conclusion
Madam Prime Minister, the parents are silent because they fear victimization of their children. I am speaking out because I refuse to see my alma mater tarnished by corruption and I refuse to see the directives of the country's Prime Minister mocked by school officials.
We urge you to intervene immediately. Please prove that the directive against illegal school fees is not just a statement for the media but a rule that applies to everyone, including Royal College.
Yours respectfully,
Padmasena Dissanayake
Alumnus, Royal College & Concerned Citizen
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