‘Deeply disturbed’: Uni under pressure after future doctor punched ex, took selfie
- Dignity 4Patients
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 19
By Sarah Keoghan - News.Com.Au - 06.08.2025 [Uvindu Jayasekara] - [AUSTRALIA] A Queensland university is under pressure to prohibit a medical student from graduating after he was found guilty of repeatedly punching his former partner at the school’s medicine ball.
Last week, James Cook University (JCU) student Uvindu Pansuja Samarasi Jayasekara escaped conviction at Townsville Magistrates Court after attacking his ex at the yearly event.
The court heard how Mr Jayasekara, who is set to graduate and become a doctor at the end of the year, became jealous that she was talking to a friend, pushing her into a corner and attacking her. Mr Jayasekara then took a selfie on her phone with her as she cried and bled from her injuries. He was sentenced to two years’ probation with $500 of compensation to the victim.
JCU was slammed after it was revealed that a staff member provided a character reference for the student.
The uni has since defended its decision to allow the student to graduate and said the reference provided by the professor was done so “as a member of the public”. “James Cook University does not tolerate domestic or family violence and is committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all members of its community,” a statement provided to news.com.au said.
“Following recent court proceedings and a guilty plea by a JCU medical student, the University has suspended the student and initiated a formal review of his suitability to continue in the medical program, in accordance with its established policies and procedures. “In relation to the character reference provided, the member of staff was aware that they were not able to represent the University when providing a reference for the male student. “The University makes clear that no staff member represents JCU in any court process and does so as a member of the public.”
The James Cook University Medical Students’ Association said it was “deeply disturbed” by the reports in a statement on social media.
“No one in our community should have to experience harm, and we want to make clear that their wellbeing, safety, and recovery matter to us,” the statement said.
“There is absolutely no place for violence, abuse, or intimidation in the medical profession or our university community.”
Townsville nurse and former JCU student Emma Coppens also wrote an open letter to the university, slamming the organisation for allowing Jayasekara to “quietly continue his studies” after being charged.
“This is not just a legal matter, it is a moral one,” she wrote.
“By letting this perpetrator graduate, JCU is sending a devastating message to survivors of domestic violence: Your pain and trauma are secondary to protecting the reputation and career of an offender.
“How can the public trust the character of a doctor who has already proven capable of violence against a partner?”
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article and were abused in state run medical and health facilities, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm.
Dignity4Patients Commentary:- When a person is proven to be capable of violence against women or vulnerable people, how can we justify their access as medical professionals to children, ill people, and those medically unable to defend themselves? Medical regulatory and training bodies need to decide what's more important, their reputation and the career of the offender or patient safety. #PatientSafety #SafeHealthcare #OnlyQualifiedProfessionals
