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| Tuesday, 21 September 2004 |
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Annual Meeting of the Girl Guides Association: Some 'homes' have become abusive places by Anjalie Garnier
"Although according to the Constitution all people are equal before the law, but now and then we experience that some people are more equal before the law. All citizens of this country have a responsibility to assist in bringing law breakers before justice," said Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Shiranee Thilakawardena who was the chief guest at the Annual Meeting of the General Council of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association held at Ladies College Hall, Colombo 7 on Saturday. Justice Thilakawardena in her presentation under the theme 'Child abuse' stated social stratification due to age, sex, colour, ability lead to the division of society. The family background and how one is brought up has a direct impact in one's social interactions. After the second world war which resulted in the death of millions of men and children, some becoming maimed for life and devastating the livelihood of countless other millions, the political leaders of the past felt the necessity of Fundamental Human Rights - the fundamental freedom guarantees speech, expression, movement, choice, justice, thought, religion, information etc. Speaking about the Girl Guides Movement she said the moulding of future leaders through various activities and training courses is positive thinking. "They must be taught to take impartial and objective decisions. Please take decisions on merit and merit alone," she said. Justice Thilakawardena said the inequality and frustration in society is the result of wrong location of funds. The Hokandara mass murder case and Rita John murder and rape case are classic examples to show the gravity of violence in our society. A lot of violence also takes place at home thus for a lot of unfortunate people 'home' is not what it means. Some homes are abusive places. "Very often, the abuser, is not the white skinned foreigner but a person known to the victim such as a family friend, uncle, father or grandfather," she said. "Child abusers very often go scot-free because children are scared to talk about such incidents. They don't have the language to speak up. Parents should have close contacts and communication with their children. Their sacrificial love and constant vigilance in children's behaviourial patterns is the only way to protect them, she said. Justice Thilakawardena is of the opinion that it is not only the poor and the suppressed families that record sexual abuse, but, even the middle class families as well. Child pornography and related abuse take place in many so-called affluent families. So when one allows a child to use a computer extra caution should be taken. Justice Shiranee Thilakawardena in an open request to the public urged that others be cared for and not alienated. We must lend a helping hand to those in distress. President, Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association Siromi Rodrigo said the dream of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association to have the Headquarters and Training Centre premises have finally become a reality. "We are the proud owners of No. 10, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7, as well as the Training Centre in Ganemulla." The outgoing Chief Commissioner Marlyn Dissanayaka presented the Annual Report of the Association (September 2003 - August 2004). The Girl Guides Association and the Scouts Association, are two of the oldest, non political, voluntary organisations in our country with no barriers to nationality, religion, caste or class. The Girl Guides Association belongs to a World Movement, now almost a hundred years old. 'Little Friends' is the Junior Branch of the Association. The Chief Commissioner disclosed that the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association has been selected to host the 9th Asia Pacific Regional Conference in 2007. Awards were presented to these guides who have completed 25 years, 10 years and 5 years Service Bar. The other award winner categories were Medal of Merit, Thanks Badge, All Island Oratorical Contest, All Island Essay Competition, President's Guide Award. |
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