Nearly one-third of cases in MCs over child abuse and rape

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told Parliament yesterday that nearly one-third of cases, pending before the Magistrates’ courts countrywide, were related to child abuse and rape cases and Sri Lankans should be ashamed of the situation as a nation.

The Minister said that there were 29,723 lawsuits before Magistrates’ Courts out of which 5,550 were related to child abuse and 4,312 to rape.

“A total of 9,662 lawsuits out of 29,723 total cases before Magistrates’ Courts, are over child abuse and rape. We, as Sri Lankans, should be ashamed of this situation. These figures expose the culture of the people to other countries. We must take action to stop these wrongdoings,” he said.

The Minister said strict laws had been introduced to ensure the safety of children. About 25 laws had been enacted by Parliament during the last 10 months, he added.

He said cases pertaining to murders, and attempted murder, and dangerous drugs, made up 6,661 out of the total of 29,723 cases.