Over 20 child trafficking cases last year - NCPA

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Over 20 incidents of child trafficking were reported last year and over 32 persons were arrested in this connection, National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Chairman Jagath Wellawatta said.

Most child trafficking incidents were reported from Trincomalee and nearby areas. A committee has been appointed to tackle this issue which comprises officials from the Foreign Employment Bureau, he said.

The Chairman was speaking after Child Development and Women's Empowerment Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena ceremonially opened the new building complex of the NCPA yesterday.

Chairman Wellawatta said the NCPA has a very child-friendly building and an environment and the parents of exploited children can bring their children to the NCPA when they require mental relief.

The NCPA is in the process of formulating new rules and regulations to protect children from exploitation.

The NCPA is also making arrangements with other institutions to integrate at least 50 per cent of the children in the society who are now in children's homes. Some NGOs present inaccurate statistics on street children to obtain funds but actually there are only around 4,000 street children in the country, he said.

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Fake beggars with children

Most children with beggar women do not belong to them. The NCPA has taken steps to arrest the perpetrators who run this 'business'. Some persons collect money for sick children and it should be done only by parents after obtaining the permission of relevant Divisional Secretary, NCPA Chairman Jagath Wellawatte added.