Feb 07, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, deeply concerned by the arrest of a minor girl for stealing eight coconuts and producing her before courts, has ordered the Justice Minister to probe the incident, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

The13-year school girl, who was caught stealing 8 coconuts worth 800 rupees to raise funds to paint her school, has been produced in the courts by the police and the Horana Magistrate has enlarged her on a surety bail of 50,000 rupees.

The female student has reportedly resorted to stealing the coconuts to raise the 800 rupees that her school authorities had asked for, to paint the school.

Minister Rambukwella said the President was very concerned after hearing that a minor child was produced before the courts for such a minor offence. The President has ordered the Justice Minister and the Education Minister to launch a full investigation into the incident, he said.

Although schools are prohibited from asking students to raise money, Minister Rambukwella said the Minister and the Secretary are helpless in taking action against the authorities concerned including the Principal as they are mandated by the Public Services Commission.