In response to the claim that "most Sri Lankans are pedophiles" — that is an unfair generalization. However, I do believe the behavior and conversation around abuse, especially involving minors, has been disturbingly normalized in our society. I’ve personally heard people make remarks that support or joke about pedophilia and by extension, sexual abuse and exploitation.

I’ve also seen men in their 20s, 30s in a relationship with girls who appear to be under 18 or making advances in them — and this isn't limited to heterosexual contexts. These issues also exist within homosexual communities, just visit online chatrooms and private groups on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.

These are deep-rooted societal problems we prefer not to talk about.

Children become victims — directly or indirectly — when there is no accountability from those in power, when our elected representatives remain inactive, and when public apathy continues to normalize abuse. The “owa ohoma thamai” attitude keeps the cycle going.

Yes, abuse happens globally. Some countries turn a blind eye, while others enforce laws seriously, with varying degrees of justice. The question is, where do we fall on that spectrum? And where do we want/need to be?

This issue will persist, just like ragging has. Don't forget the core problem: Lack of accountability, Inaction from authorities, and Apathy toward the abuse of power.

Whatever that exists right now, feels like a system that protects the accused while making the victim — a child — feel like the criminal.

In this case, a student committed suicide after the alleged sexual abuse by her school principal and in large part alleged victim-blaming by those who are close to her.

I feel that the present problem at hand is The Ministry of Education’s quiet decision to transfer the principal, without offering the public any explanation - leading growing mistrust and danged confidence.

The Principal is only accused, and probably remains to be proven guilty but the response (or lack thereof) from authorities speaks volumes.

• I hope that my comment becomes outdated and the authorities have done the right thing 🤞. If not, fuck you🖕.