A male teacher has lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Education that the Principal of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, chased him away on the basis of gender claiming he is unsuitable to teach Sinhala language and literature to Advanced Level students at the girls school.

Visakha Vidayalaya is considered one of the most prominent girls schools in the country, run by the govenrment.

The male teacher has also lodged a complaint with the Bambalapitiya police. In his complaint, he has stated that he was prevented from reporting to duties by the Principal who ordered him to leave the school premises.

The teacher was previously working at Sr. Paul's Girls School, Milagiriya, and was transferred to Visakha Vidyalaya under the annual transfer scheme for teachers.

When contacted by reporters, Principal of Visakha Vidyalaya Sandamali Aviruppola said the male teacher in question "lacked personality" to teach Sinhala language and literature to Advanced Level students in her school.

"We have never had a male teacher to teach Sinhala language and literature in our school. There are very 'delicate parts' about women's sexuality in the syllabus. I have pointed this out to the Secretary to the Ministry of Education," the Principal said.