Shocking number of child abuse and rape cases overwhelm Lanka’s Magistrates’ Courts

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe last week revealed a distressing truth that nearly one-third of the cases awaiting resolution in Magistrates’ courts throughout the country involve child abuse and rape. Expressing deep concern, the Minister urged Sri Lankans to feel a sense of shame and regret over this alarming situation that tarnishes the nation’s reputation.

Out of the 29,723 lawsuits currently pending before the Magistrates’ Courts, a staggering 5,550 cases relate to child abuse, while 4,312 cases involve rape. Shockingly, these horrific offenses collectively account for 33 percent of the total cases. Minister Rajapakshe emphasized the need for immediate action to combat these wrongdoings, which not only inflict harm on victims but also reflect poorly on the cultural values of the nation, as they are exposed to the scrutiny of other countries.

Minister Rajapakshe underscored the government’s efforts to protect children, stating that 25 laws aimed at ensuring their safety had been enacted by Parliament in the past ten months. However, he also acknowledged that cases of murder, attempted murder, and dangerous drugs constitute a significant portion of the pending cases, totaling 6,661, or roughly 22 percent of the total.

Disturbingly, the Minister revealed that child abuse, rape, murder, attempted murder, and dangerous drugs cases collectively make up 55 percent of the total cases before the Magistrates’ Courts, further highlighting the urgent need to address these grave issues.

Furthermore, the Minister drew attention to the staggering backlog in the judicial system, with a total of 1,127,265 cases pending across Sri Lanka. He expressed concern over the insufficient number of judges available to handle this overwhelming caseload, with a mere 399 judges assigned from the Supreme Court to the Magistrates’ Courts.

The Minister’s revelations have sparked outrage and concern among the public, signaling the pressing need for comprehensive and effective measures to combat child abuse, rape, and other serious crimes. It is imperative for the government, law enforcement agencies, and society as a whole to join forces to protect the vulnerable and ensure justice for the victims. Immediate action must be taken to strengthen laws, increase resources, and promote awareness to create a safer environment for all Sri Lankans, free from the specter of such heinous offenses.