‘CRC key piece of international law’

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The right to development and the right to participation are some of the key elements that are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC).

The CRC is a key piece of international law that promotes and protects the rights of children, said IDLO Colombo Project Officer Dinesh Kanagaratnam at a ceremony held to celebrate the United Nation’s Children Day at the Tower Hall, Colombo recently.

The ceremony was organised by the Legal Aid Commission (LAC) and its 41 Regional Centres to celebrate the United Nation’s Children Day, at the Tower Hall, Colombo.

The Chief Guest was Ms. Indrani Sugathadasa, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development. Chief Of Party, IDLO Colombo Project Officer Dinesh Kanagaratnam was the Guest of Honour.

The guide book contains practical information about children’s rights, the rights and obligations of those entrusted with the care and custody and the remedies available in the case of abuse and violation of children.

The guide book covers legislation, remedies and procedures available to protect the rights of the child in Sri Lanka, the IDLO Project Officer said.

IDLO Project Office Kanagaratnam emphasised that the IDLO project identified the Legal Aid Commission as one of our key partners to undertake law based activities and to assist persons affected by the Tsunami, under the Tsunami Orphans projects.

The primary objective of the Tsunami Orphans project is to assist, improve and consolidate the long term wellbeing and legal position of Children orphaned by the Tsunami, Kanagaratnam added.

The Special feature of this ceremony was the launching of two research reports of children. One on the legal position of Tsunami affected children and the other on “Children in Institutional Care.” The first report reveals that over 3000 Tsunami orphans are yet to register with legal custodians.

In order to highlight the talents of the younger generation, eight schools, Thurstan College, Ananda Balika, Yasodhara Balika, Gothami Balika, Zahira College, Mahanama College, the CPS Girls and Boys homes participated in the Children Talent Contest, where the winners received valuable awards and certificates.

Actress Miss Sarala Kariyawasam and the students who topped the all island academic competition were among the invitees.

Sri Lanka ratified the CRC in 1991 and adopted the Children Charter in 1991. But Sri Lanka’s main Children and Young Persons Ordinance was adopted in 1939 even before the UN was founded, said Legal Aid Commission Chairman S. S. Wijeratne.