Alarming rise in child abuse, exploitation:

New NCPA chief

by Nadira Gunatilleke

The new Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Dr. Hiranthi Wijeyamanne expressed concern at the high rate of child abuse in the country, saying one of her first tasks would be to introduce stringent measures to arrest this trend.

In an interview with the Daily News Dr. Wijeyamanne said there was an alarming rise in the incidents of child exploitation including sexual abuse and exposure to violence within the family, at home and in school. "The most unfortunate and horrendous aspect is that children are being abused by the very persons they trust most such as their own fathers, grandfathers, uncles and even the clergy", she said.

Dr. Wijeyamanne also lamented the fact that children are being exploited in media advertisements and also the exposure of victims of child abuse in the same media.

According to the new NCPA Chairman, child labour is another problem which she intends tackling seriously.

Child trafficking is also a problem where both local and foreign nationals are involved, she said.

She also dwelt on other problems affecting children such as drug abuse, HIV/AIDS and alcoholism.

"Children are children till they turn 18. They are often victims of broken homes and living under single parents.

Poverty and war has also affected children," Dr. Wijeyamanne said.

On the positive side, Sri Lanka has achieved significant progress such as arresting malnutrition in addition to good health indicators and free access to education.

"Even a poor child can aspire to higher education and this is a great plus point in the education sector", she said.