Probationary officers play crucial role in curbing child abuse - Minister

Athapattu Bandara

Child Development and Women's Affairs Minister Tissa Karaliyadda while commending the priceless service rendered by child probationary officers, promised to look into their unresolved problems with Cabinet approval.

"The Ministry has identified many problematic areas faced by the 270 probationary officers in the course of their duties throughout the country," the Minister said.

"These issues include the absence of a satisfactory promotion scheme and lack of official transportation," he added.

The Minister was attending the inauguration ceremony of the annual conference of child probationary officers organized by the Childcare and Probationary Department and All Ceylon Childcare Probationary Officers at Wariyapola Wayamba Training Centre.

Minister Karaliyadda said child abuse has seen an increase in present day society and this is where child probationary officers will have to play a key role in nipping this condition in the bud.

"The prime objective of the conference was to create positive thinking among child probationary officers to deal with various issues in society concerning child abuse," he said.

"The Child Care and Probation Department is the one of oldest department's in the country and it beholds the responsibility in carrying out duties entrusted upon to nurture and provide protection for children and assist the legal fraternity to take decisions on children.

These officers have been identified as a group who provide a yeoman service to society and their service should be commended with honour," the Minister said.

Consumers Welfare Senior Minister S.B. Nawinna said an increase in child abuse cases was due to liquor addiction and illiteracy. A social dialogue needs to be initiated to look into cases concerning child abuse and violence against women.