The Uduvil Girls’ College, a private school managed by the JDCSI  is one of the oldest schools in Sri Lanka. On record it was begun by the American Christian Mission in 1820.

Although it is known to be under the dictates of Bishop Daniel Thiyagarajah of the South Indian Church, the school is still taken care of by the American church organisations, say Jaffna sources.

Controversy    
The controversy and protests broke out on 07 September (2016) when the Principal an old girl, was removed by the management after she reached 60 years. She is said to have refused requests to resign at 60 yrs as there is no rule as such for private institutes. Most previous Principals had continued till over 70 yrs.

Much respected by parents and loved by school children, she had previously successfully sought a Court order to keep "outside" interference into her administration as Principal.

Protests & intimidation
It was after she was removed from the post of principal by the management, students protested.

They came under violent outside threats and school sources say, was instigated by Bishop Thiyagarajah. Late police intervention is also seen as very bias, with outsiders who forced themselves into school being allowed to leave without even a warning.

Links to Sumanthiran
In Jaffna, it is openly said, Bishop Thiyagarajah enjoys such comfort due to his close proximity to Jaffna MP Sumanthiran.

Meanwhile, the Colombo Telegraph reports that In June, the JDCSI had advertised a vacancy for the post of Principal of Uduvil Girls’ College on their website and in a newspaper published from Colombo.

It adds that the panel interviewing the candidates also included following persons :

1. Mrs. Savitri Sumanthiran, wife of TNA’s Jaffna District Parliamentarian Mr. MA Sumanthiran + member of the Uduvil GC Board representing the wider Christian community in the country

2. Ms. Vijula Arulanantham, a close legal associate of Mr. MA Sumanthiran + member of the Uduvil GC Board representing the wider Christian community in the country + a prominent member of the Anglican Church

3. Dr. Mrs. Thayalini Thiagarajah, the manager of the school and the Bishop’s wife (Bishop Thiyagarajah is the chairperson of the school)

4. Mrs. Suganthy Vyrasinghe, a retired teacher of Jaffna College + member of the Uduvil GC Board representing the Old Girls. (As per the constitution of the school Board, the representative of theOld Girls should be a member of the JDCSI elected by the Diocesan Council)

5. Dr. Alexander Jesuthasan, Principal, Madras Christian College, India – External Member to the Selection Board

Condemnation
After the spate of intimidation against the students, the Church of the American Ceylon Mission issued a statement condemning the series of events.

“We condemn unequivocally the unjust termination of the tenure of the current Principal of Uduvil Girls’ College, - Mrs. Shiranee Mills, by Rev. Dr. Thiagarajah and the JDCSI. We also condemn the violence and intimidation carried out by some of the staff of Uduvil Girls’ College, JDCSI pastors and some outsiders against the students of UGC who were protesting the injustice done to Mrs. Mills," the statement said.

The complete statement is as follows :