Abandoned infant safe at Matara hospital

YASARATNE GAMAGE

The three day old infant found abandoned in a bush behind a tourist hotel in Matara, was now secure at the Matara hospital's Prematured Baby Care Unit, Police said.

Matara Police found the baby boy while he had been left between two rocks in a scrub in a tourist hotel backyard. His body had been covered with ants and other insects, when the Police found him. He had sustained injuries due to ant bites and was taken to the Matara hospital ICU, Police reported.

During December last year, the police had arrested a mother of a new-born baby who had been killed in Manikhinna.

Another woman too had been arrested in Walaichchenei during the early hours of the New Year for killing and burying her baby. Four days after the incident, the Police arrested another woman in Sammanthurai for the same crime. In another incident a woman had thrown her son into the Kalu Ganga a few months ago.

There have been 206 cases reported last year where children of less than 18 years had been abandoned, but in January alone, the figures was 26 cases around the island. Police Public Relations Unit (PPR), commenting on the rate of crimes of this nature, states that unexpected pregnancies and severe economic hardships were caused for these types of crime.

The PPR urge the public to seek assistance of relevant government and non government institutions in a difficult situation caused by unexpected pregnancies. The National Child Protection Authority, Police Women and Children's Bureau were two institutions where the public could seek help when needed.

Under the 1995 No 22 Penal Code Amendment Act, those who commit severe child harassment would be subject to rigorous imprisonment from 2 to 12 years, the Police said.

The Child and Youth Act also allows the offenders of such crimes to be charged and subjected to legal action.

The Police also highlights that those who abandon a child, could be accused of attempted murder under Penal Code, Chapter 300 and if found guilty, could be sentenced to a term of 20 years imprisonment.

Police urge the public to find decent and morally accepted solutions regarding child problems and the Police also warn that there was no right to kill or abandon them.