'Increased paedophile arrests shows NCPA dynamism'

Sarath MALALASEKERA

"The increase in reports on paedophile arrests shows the dynamism of the National Child Protection Authority," said the Legal Aid Commission (LAC) Chairman SS Wijeratne.

He said that the extent of child abuse is not correctly reported even in more affluent countries.

"This country was a world's pioneer to enact Children and Young Persons Ordinance in 1938 even before it became independent. This law still governs the child protection regime in Sri Lanka.

"The establishment of the Child Protection Society in 1928 under the patronage of the then British Governor is an important landmark," he added. He said it is paramount that child protection authorities conduct full background checks when selecting supervisors and inspectors to the provincial and national child protection service as reports indicate that few persons in the authority have been closet paedophiles.

Child abuse law should be amended to deter custodial abuse, whether they are school teachers or probation service personnel, he added. Child Protection Laws which remained dormant for few years are now implemented by a dynamic chairperson, Wijeratna said. He pointed out that North Central Province had recorded high incidents of child abuse.

The LAC Chairman added that the abuse of underage persons leave psychological scars which may affect their growth. Recognizing this, the British established the Child Protection Society in 1928 which was the first of its kind in Asia. He added that nearly 30 Sri Lankan penal provisions to punish child sex offenders are ineffective. In the case of incest the rate of conviction is minimal. The prosecutor who will be invariably of tender age often fail to withstand the ferocious cross examinations, the LAC Chairman said.

He added "if the mental health of our future generations is not safeguarded, it will be difficult to describe Sri Lanka as the Wonder of Asia.