Nine Children’s Courts to cover all nine provinces

By Saman Indrajith

The State Ministry of Women and Child Development, Preschools and Primary Education, School Infrastructure and Education Services would establish nine Children’s Courts to cover all nine provinces of the country, State Minister Piyal Nishantha De Silva said.

They will be established to expedite the hearing of cases on physical, mental and sexual abuse of children, State Minister De Silva said.

“Discussions have been held with the Ministry of Justice on establishing these courts and it was decided to establish Children’s Courts for all provinces,” State Minister said.

According to the State Minister there are only two Children’s Courts in the country and there is a long delay in hearing these cases.

“Funds were already allocated to establish evidence collection centres covering all nine provinces, jointly with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA),” he said.

The NCPA is in the process of preparing a Formal National Database on Child Abuse to prevent the abuse of children. The National Database will be launched in August, Prof. Mudith Vidanapathirana, the NCPA Chairman said.

The National Child Protection Authority informed the people that information with regard to child abuse cases as well as the relevant evidence could be provided via the ChildLine 1929 or the NCPA Child Protection App.