School Discipline Circular 11/2026 & 12/2016 Sri Lanka – Full Guidelines, Rules & Legal Actions
The Ministry of Education has issued Circular 11/2026 (30.03.2026) reinforcing strict rules on maintaining discipline in schools, alongside Circular 12/2016. These circulars emphasize zero tolerance for corporal punishment, student protection, legal consequences, and positive disciplinary approaches. Below is a complete, simplified breakdown.
Works together with Circular 12/2016.
⚖️ Supreme Court (FR 461/2012) emphasized.
✔ Corporal punishment strictly banned
✔ Legal action will be taken against offenders
✔ Counseling & guidance
✔ Student support systems
✔ Encouraging good behavior
Teachers must:
✔ Build relationships with students
✔ Identify personal issues
✔ Create supportive learning environment
- Violence & anti-social behavior
- Child abuse risks
- Poor teacher-student relationships
- Low academic performance
- Loss of self-esteem
- Property damage
✔ Principal
✔ Deputy/Assistant Principals
✔ Discipline teachers
All incidents must be properly documented.
- Co-curricular activities
- Counseling
- Warnings & guidance
- Parent meetings
- Temporary suspension (max 2 weeks)
- Remove privileges
- Transfer with approval
❌ Do NOT publicly shame students.
✔ Fundamental Rights cases
✔ Criminal charges
✔ Disciplinary action under Establishments Code
❗ Sexual abuse = severe punishment
❗ Staff misconduct = legal action
Schools must cooperate with NCPA.






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