Probe finds CIS student’s suicide at Lotus Tower linked to Altair tragedy

8 October 2024 10:04 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 47 Bookmark

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Colombo, Oct 8 (Daily Mirror) - Investigations into the death of a female student from the Colombo International School (CIS) have revealed that the 16-year-old girl had committed suicide and that her death is linked to the earlier suicides of two schoolmates at the Altair luxury apartment in Slave Island.

Police said that the student, a resident of Kollupitiya, fell to her death from the observation deck of the Lotus Tower in Colombo yesterday evening.

According to police investigations, the deceased was a Grade 11 student at CIS. After school, she visited the Lotus Tower, where she tragically jumped from the 29th floor.

It was also revealed that the girl was a close friend of the two students who took their own lives by jumping from the Altair apartment complex in Slave Island in July of this year.

The girl's father informed police yesterday that his daughter had been under significant stress following the tragic incident at Altair.

The Maradana Police are continuing their investigations.

Comments - 47

Let's have a fresh look Tuesday, 08 October 2024 10:36 AM

Rest in peace child. I hope our parents try to bring up our children within the roots of our culture more. We are currently lost between western and easter cultures resulting in confused young children.

49 86

Grace Tuesday, 08 October 2024 10:41 AM

People, especially youngsters and kids should know that everything happens for a reason. They should not question it, but trust it.

23 29

Joseph Tuesday, 08 October 2024 11:07 AM

True. When the sun sets one side, it rises another side. Look at many people who suffered failure in life are currently doing well.

6 37

DHA Tuesday, 08 October 2024 10:51 AM

It's really an unfortunate incident, I really feel parents should been her best friends to overcome situations like this...trying to cure someone with medicines is really pointless....so sad there's more to life than finishing it when your time is not really up...Rest in Peace dear

6 57

Udaya Tuesday, 08 October 2024 10:53 AM

Sad to see young lives lost due to suicide. They need help. Schools should have qualified councilors to help teens/kids.

4 71

Citizen Tuesday, 08 October 2024 10:59 AM

POLICE STAFF WHY WANT TAKE TENSION AND INVESTIGATION. PLEASE LEAVE IT THEY PARENTS. THEY WILL KNOW BETTER KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS. UNNECESSARY WASTING OUR MONEY.

58 6

YOU WANT EDUCATION Tuesday, 08 October 2024 12:19 PM

If you had gone to a school, you would have known why.

5 32

Mmmm Tuesday, 08 October 2024 03:58 PM

WHICH SCHOOL (school of love birds) AND CLASS( love class)

11 6

Bencha Tuesday, 08 October 2024 03:54 PM

Oh Well! When it comes to your kids, i totally agree with you

1 5

Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 08 October 2024 06:18 PM

Part of our money will need to be spent on issues like this.

5 4

Boru Na... Atha.... Atha.... Atha.... (100% truth) Tuesday, 08 October 2024 11:06 AM

Hon. AKD, our Excellency President, you are aware that about 10-15 politicians from Potuwa

60 2

Dee Tuesday, 08 October 2024 12:45 PM

You under the influence of drugs or something?

1 33

Boru Na..... Atha..... Atha .... Atha..... (100% truth) Tuesday, 08 October 2024 04:11 PM

May be about you, you mentioned. What I want to express is Potuwa Ex-ministers

7 1

REZA Tuesday, 08 October 2024 11:16 AM

Oh dear. So sad. There seem to be a reason and youngsters should be guided by parents and teachers to face things and overcome situations even it be the 11th hour. Even with good friends. The world is full of hidden opportunities. This see to be the 3rd incident.

4 9

dotv Tuesday, 08 October 2024 11:26 AM

'Significant stress ..after classmate committed suicide '. no malady but a manifestation of grief .may be Counselling should be an ongoing process in the school , ..as group therapy helps.have empathy with others and not feel isolated . not to ..to feel so lonely in grief .........at least its never to late to save others , to restart the process ..and help our teenagers ..and also the parents ..to help their kids ..

1 44

Visaka Tuesday, 08 October 2024 12:01 PM

Gossiping adults (not parents) after the previous incident at Altair has been traumatising the close friends of the two deceased children as they have been blamed for knowing but not doing anything about it. We now have a third death. So as adults we need to know that guilt tripping young kids or even adults is not the right way to deal with situations.

3 24

Parent Tuesday, 08 October 2024 12:54 PM

Youngsters today spend their time on phones, rather than talking with friends. When you "talk" to a friend, rather than looking for answers in the internet, it makes a world of a difference. It's unfortunate that young people don't realise this. Parents, do not give a smartphone to your child until the child goes to university!

7 34

johan Tuesday, 08 October 2024 01:02 PM

Under the new Govt. ,the school children who are vulnerable to love affairs,poor results in exams, unable to get university entrance must be looked into.because they are the one mostly committing suicide. Similarly poverty stricken parents also vulnerable to suicide. Govt. and Women organizations must pay importance for this matter to educate the masses.

6 17

Mental health is quite common in youngsters in the West. Tuesday, 08 October 2024 01:04 PM

Sign of Western ideology spreading. Western schools

29 21

Jeanne Tuesday, 08 October 2024 03:13 PM

What a ridiculous thing to say. And yet parents are willing to sell their properties, their souls, their everything just so their "youngsters" can go to Western countries for a better life!

2 16

Amarasinghe Tuesday, 08 October 2024 05:50 PM

@Jeanne, latest stats show 25% of the young in the West has depression. But what you say otherwise is correct, poverty stricken people put material wealth over mental well being

3 5

wickrama Wijayasiri Tuesday, 08 October 2024 06:51 PM

Exactly the point. Pressure and stress on the children to perform and to keep up with the Jones's. Children should be guided without undue pressure. Make sure that they are in good company of likeminded friends. Have time for them and talk to them. Throwing luxuries at them expecting them to keep quiet is not the answer. In this case we will never know why and it is none of our business as long as it is not a crime. Police have a duty to perform. Back off. The unfortunate parents have enough to deal with. Ensure their health and ability to cope up with the trauma.

0 6

Pray for our teens Tuesday, 08 October 2024 01:15 PM

What demon is possessing these kids to do this?? My God! What have Lotus Tower done to anticipate jumpers and prevent same? All sky scrapers should have some sort of protocol in place. Children need to have spiritual guidance nowadays more than anything else. May God have mercy and grant peace to her soul and her family.

9 17

ScranjithA Tuesday, 08 October 2024 02:11 PM

I too agree with the sentiment expressed by you!

2 7

Nimal R Tuesday, 08 October 2024 01:56 PM

Barriers should be put up to ensure that no one can jump from the tower. One who commits suicide will have many other ways to do it but at least this should be prevented.

1 17

SIVAPONNIAH Tuesday, 08 October 2024 03:29 PM

True. Barriers are important on Towers to prevent people committing suicide. Glass fronted view windows are placed in most Towers in foreign countries. Why did the Lotus Tower management ignored this......

1 8

PRASHAN Tuesday, 08 October 2024 01:59 PM

My deepest sympathy on this matter. A child of this age should have lived lot longer and lived a wonderful life. Children don't take such decisions unless more than one of the systems that influences the child/girl/boy is dysfunctional. A problem at home can be consoled by the mates and mentors at school, or vice versa. A problem at work can be consoled by her home , vice versa. Has the School's head given a statement explaining how he/she has reviewed the school system to ensure that the other children and being counselled and look after well ? Protect our children at any cost !

1 14

ScranjithA Tuesday, 08 October 2024 02:07 PM

Spot on!!

0 1

Me Talking Tuesday, 08 October 2024 02:20 PM

The school/police/parents now should talk to other friends of the circle and prevent another tragedy. This incident can put a lot of stress on other friends. Also find what the root cause, there can be other reasons as well for this to continue.

1 9

Milton Colambage Tuesday, 08 October 2024 02:26 PM

Parents are blamed for not having a close rapport with children and spending quality time. Instead, they are running after money and illicit love affairs. Also, if money is made in wrong way or you do wrong to people, karma will come in the way of early tragic deaths and punishments. So, always do the right thing and don't squander public money through frauds, bribes and commissions.

10 7

What's wrong with people? Tuesday, 08 October 2024 09:14 PM

Milton, come on. What are you on about? No one wants to hear nonsense advise and be falsely accused in their time of grief.

0 7

Enough is Enough Tuesday, 08 October 2024 03:12 PM

Education department a d the education ministry should audit CIS for failingin their dutyof care, it should be a place of study not a a breeding ground for illicit substance abuse trauma and mental health issues,,, shut this place down, the country and it's culture is bigger than the daycare for the affluent swine class.

7 12

A.Pandithasekera Tuesday, 08 October 2024 04:02 PM

Lotus tower management should strictly not allow children to enter the tower without a guardian representing the parents or the school

3 5

Even animals are above such Tuesday, 08 October 2024 08:39 PM

Does not make any difference, those who get it into their heads to harm themselves will find one way or another to do the worst a person can do (to themselves). There just has to be widespread respect of life, and religious leaders must condemn all and any who take their healthy good lives for the sake of mental calamity.

1 1

Lt. Col. Ananda Siriwardene Tuesday, 08 October 2024 04:13 PM

Namal Rajapakshes' gangsters are the worst drug sellers sit in front of all leading schools and spoil the innocent children. IGP now it's over to you.

7 10

Chris Tuesday, 08 October 2024 04:18 PM

Stop blaming the school or social status of the school.Many students from the school do very well. It's like kids from remote schools don't take their lives.Its clearly a sad and depressed state.of mind that makes anyone take his or her life. Nothing to do with parents school western values or religion. I am shocked at how ignorant people who comment here are. This should not be headline or breaking news In the developed world suicide is not given much publicity or when it is there is a helpline mentioned.

4 11

WASTE OF A YOUNG LIFE Tuesday, 08 October 2024 04:45 PM

MAY HER SOUL RIP AND PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY TO ENABLE THEM TO COPE. HOWEVER, THIS APPEARS TO BE A MENTAL ISSUE LEFT UNTREATED AND OR NOT FOLLOWED UP, THE SCHOOL SOULD HAVE HAD CONTD MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR THE STUDENTS/CLOSE FRIENDS OF THE TWO STUDENTS THAT WENT BEFORE HER. A PHYCHOLOGIST AND PSYCHIATRIC SPECIALIST SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO THE SCHOOL (BY THE SCHOOL TO HAVE REGULAR SESSIONS WITH STUDENTS). ALSO, NOT SURE IF THIS STUDENT WAS GIVEN THE ABOVE SERVICE FROM THE SCHOOL NOR DO WE KNOW IF THE PARENTS SOUGHT THE SAME SERVICES FOR THEIR DAUGHTER. MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE COME IN DIFFERENT FORMS AND APPROPRIATE TREATMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONGOING, AS MENTAL ISSUES ARE NOT ONE FIX FOR ALL AND IS A PROLONGED HEALTH ISSUE FOR SOME. AS FOR THE LOTUS TOWER OWNERS, THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TOO IN SOME SHAPE OR FORM. WHY PERMIT A YOUNG GIRL WITH A SCHOOL BAG TO ENTER THE PREMISES ON HER OWN IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

1 3

Inshi Tuesday, 08 October 2024 05:37 PM

Deepest sympathies to the parents of the child. May her Soul rest in peace. Authorities should offer help to prevent anyone taking their own lives.

0 1

M Fernando Tuesday, 08 October 2024 05:45 PM

Perhaps Lotus Tower can be sued in courts for not having enough safety precautions in place to prevent this type of tragedy.?

2 0

John Fernando Tuesday, 08 October 2024 07:19 PM

It is better to fully investiage all three incidents and find the root cause, so that can be preventable for any future. There are crazy people in internet and they promote young vulnerable kids to do these things, so full investigation is needed. Parents need to spend more time with kids so can understand more about kids problems.

0 3

Let her never be an example for others to follow Tuesday, 08 October 2024 08:38 PM

Her folly of being affected by two others who took their lives, do cause harm to herself is utterly reprehensible. The insane thinking of those who want to take their lives is utterly condemned in some religions like Catholicism, that those who do that can never enter heaven. There is nothing more wrong than that, as there is no forgiveness for those who waste the most precious gift of life. Why isn't there more condemnation to prevent more youngsters following in the deceased footsteps? Without that, in a few months more healthy young people will do the same, causing tragedy in the making...

7 1

Nayanta Pandita Tuesday, 08 October 2024 11:24 PM

It is so easy for people to comment here. Please believe me when I say this: I have personally faced a few critical unbearable situations in my life recently, and have tried to reach out to a number of close people. But there were times when nobody was there to listen to me!!

0 4

Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 09 October 2024 04:52 AM

Basedcon comments it appears that there are many child experts with good suggestions. They should extend their support to Child Care Gouups .

0 0

Rasi Wednesday, 09 October 2024 05:23 AM

The government should intervene in finding the truth behind this incident and how the school administration worked during the last incident. A separate governing body should be introduced to investigate private schools and issue licenses under strict conditions in future. In general, Sri Lankan parents must take responsibility for pressuring their kids to study and compare themselves to others rather than building themselves up as better human beings

0 0

PRASHAN Wednesday, 09 October 2024 06:32 PM

Yeah. Government should intervene with an iron hand. It's unbearable to see 3 children's lost so unfortunately. School head hasn't gathered the parents and children of that particular grade and addressed them in a meeting. Incompetent !. It's a shame that untill now, each and every child belonging to the grade of the two fallen students in the first incident has not been inquired by the Police? What are the parents of the fellow students doing about it ? Have they demanded a inquiry, a better inclusive approach in the school ? What about the other teachers who have sworn to look after these kids. Just mere tears and empathetic talk will not fix these issues. Morally corrupt at all level. Just an AKD wouldn't be able to fix this country ! Doesn't this country have any competent Police, journalist, teachers, parents ?

0 0

Meowmali Wednesday, 09 October 2024 10:51 PM

Something that my aunt (who is a tutor at cis kandy) has told me is that these kids are some of the wealthiest fellows in SL. But their problems and issues are far more complicated than we can even imagine. She told me that even they themself become speechless when they hear these kids. Please make mental health care more accessible in Sri Lanka. Even though this girl has been under antidepressants she clearly needed more help.

0 2

Ruchira Kitsiri Thursday, 10 October 2024 03:48 PM

One thing's is clear. It is time to take the Porches out of Senanayakes.

0 0

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