Colloquium of judicial officers on tsunami related legal issues

The National Centre for Victims of Crime (NCVC) in co-ordination with the Judges Training Institute and the Judicial Service Commission has organized a colloquium of Judicial Officers from the tsunami affected judicial zones on August 6 at the Eden Hotel, Beruwela. 32 Judicial Officers from Kayts to Negombo have been invited.

The primary objective of the colloquium would be to focus judicial attention on the situation of children who have lost one or both parents and whose care custody and welfare are presently regulated under two different legal enactments.

The Children and Young Persons Ordinance and Part II of the Tsunami (Special Provisions) Act No. 16 of 2005. Under the Special Tsunami Law Magistrates are empowered to make foster care orders in respect of children who have lost one or both parents.

A discussion on the International Conventions enacted for the protection of the children, minors would be a subject of discussion led by Margaret Saldin, UNICEF Consultant for Probation and Child Care Services.

A discussion on psychological aspects of children's experience of separation and loss would be facilitated by Dr. Diyanath Samarasinghe, Associate Professor of Psychological Medicine Faculty of Medicine.

Justices J.F. de Soza, Director Judges Institute and Justice P.H.K. Kulatilake, Deputy Director will moderate the seminar. The Convener, Center for Victims of Crime, S.S. Wijeratne will introduce the programme. The programme is supported by the UNICEF.