Special Juvenile Court in Battaramulla

Irangika Range, Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

The Justice Ministry will establish a special juvenile court in Battaramulla Monday.

Addressing a residential workshop for media on equal access to Justice in Wadduwa yesterday, Justice Ministry Secretary Suhada Gamlath said the court will be a special one because of its unique set up of hearing cases. Gamlath said the Judge will not sit on an elevated stage above the Well of the Court but will be hearing the case sitting at the same table with children.

He said the court premises will consist of children’s park and games for children. He said the child magistrate court which had been functional from Bambalapitiya to hear children’s cases was not suitable, because its environs were not suitable for child.

Gamlath said the second Juvenile Court will be set up in Jaffna in December.

“New laws will be presented before Parliament for approval to protect child victims and child witnesses,” he said.