The Vavuniya District office of National Child Protection Authority was opened at the Vavuniya District Secretariat premises by the Mr. Mohamed Haniffa, District Secretary of Vavuniya District Secretariat and Mrs. Sujatha Kulatunga, Deputy Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority on 13.02.2019. Up to now the office was maintained in a very limited area and in moving to the new building the National Child Protection Authority officers will be able to carry out the functions of Psychosocial activities, Legal Counseling, Case Conferences in a child friendly atmosphere and to conduct Training programmes of child protection officers in a more productive and a broader manner.
New Year Wishers 2019
Children are the most powerful and the most decisive factor that determines the future of a country. Ensuring safety of the children of our nation must run parallel to the journey towards the apex of development which Sri Lanka is making at present. Therefore, the National Child Protection Authority, the most prominent state entity that takes action to protect children from all forms of abuse, has continued its practice of protecting the children of the nation in a regular and efficient manner.
We wish all the best, and a Happy New Year 2019 and would like to take this opportunity to invite all of you to join hands with the National Child Protection Authority to assure safety of children and eliminate all forms of abuse. Also we warmly welcome Mrs.Dharshana Senanayake, Secretary of Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Development of Dry Zones to National Child Protection Authority on 1st working day of the year.
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Appointment of Mr. H. M. Abayaratne as chairman of NCPA
Press Release – 2018.04.09
His Excellency the Hon. President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed Mr. H. M. Abayaratne as the Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority. He is the 8th Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority.
Mr. H. M. Abayaratne holds a Special Degree in Development Studies from the University of Colombo and holds a LLB degree from the same University. He holds a Masters of Business Management (MBA) Degree in Labour Studies from University of Colombo and a Master of Management Studies from University of Wayamba. He has also obtained Diploma in Business Management from National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) and Diploma in Youth Affairs from Commonwealth Youth Center at Chandigarh University in India.
Attorney at Law Mr. H M Abayaratne is the Provincial Youth Services Director of National Youth Services Council, and he is the District Coordinator of the World University Service of Canada, and he is the former Chairman of the Institute of Post Harvest Technology. He is also a Senior Lecturer in the Management and Finance Faculty of Wayamba University and also serves as Special Project Director of Special Presidential Project in Kurunegala District.
He said that the life-long experience in the rural areas in the Kurunegala district will gain the ability to experience on life's resources. His past administrative and educational capacity has been created to be very sensitive to the problems of the children. His vision is to build child friendly and safe environment for children through the vision and mission of the National Child Protection Authority. -
News reports that NCPA is Dysfunctional is a fallacy, Special communiqué by Chairperson of the NCPA.
News release – 2018.03.07
It is deplorable that certain individuals are making feeble attempts to tarnish the image of and esteemed Institution that has been functioning for almost two decades.
Section 14 of the NCPA act No 50 of 1998 outlines the functions of this vital government mechanism set up to promote and protect the rights of children living in this country.
NCPA receives as many as 30 complaints on Child Abuse a day through its 24-hour Child line. The investigations are carried out speedily monitoring of investigations and court cases are also being carried out effectively under the direct supervision of the Chairperson. Sensitization and Awareness Raising Programmes are carried out in all parts of the island. Today a team has been sent to Polonnaruwa to disseminate materials relating to Child Protection to be used in Legal Literacy Programmes within the District. The video evidence unit records evidence upto 5 child victims at the recording unit at Head Office Counseling services are provided by a Psychosocial Unit headed by a qualified Clinical Psychologist. The Special Police Investigation Unit not only receives complaints but conducts investigations throughout the country when called upon to do so. The shelter (setup to provide a happy environment to victims of crime) is also functioning for the benefit of Children sent by orders of court.
Therefore, it is totally unacceptable and unpardonable that certain individuals are spreading false rumors that the NCPA is not operating properly.
At present, all documents relating to the Action Plans of NCPA for 2018 have been submitted to the relevant line Ministry.
As a responsible Media Institution I kindly urge you to inform the general public that the NCPA is working hard to ensure that all children are free from all forms of abuse and to create a child-friendly and protective environment for all children living in Sri Lanka.Marini de Livera (Attorney at Law)
Chairperson
National Child Protection Authority -
ළමයින් ආයතන ගත කිරීම අවසන් විකල්පය වශයෙන් සිදු කළ යුතුයි. පවුලක් නොමැති දරුවන්ට රැකවරණය ලබා දීම සඳහා සමාජය ඒකරාශී කිරීමට ජාතික ළමා ආරක්ෂක අධිකාරියෙන් විශේෂ වැඩපිළිවෙළමයින් ආයතන ගත කිරීම අවසන් විකල්පය වශයෙන් සිදු කළ යුතුයි. පවුලක් නොමැති දරුවන්ට රැකවරණය ලබා දීම සඳහා සමාජය ඒකරාශී කිරීමට ජාතික ළමා ආරක්ෂක අධිකාරියෙන් විශේෂ වැඩපිළිවළමයින් ආයතන ගත කිරීම අවසන් විකල්පය වශයෙන් සිදු කළ යුතුයි. පවුලක් නොමැති දරුවන්ට රැකවරණය ලබා දීම සඳහා සමාජය ඒකරාශී කිරීමට ජාතික ළමා ආරක්ෂක අධිකාරියෙන් විශේෂ වැඩපිළිවෙළක්
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ALL TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS SHOULD BE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN. TOUGH ACTION AGAINST ALL ACTS OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CRUEL AND DEGRADING TRATMENT
Press Release – 2018.02.26
There appears to be a high prevalence of violence against children in educational and other institutions.
Research has shown that children who have been exposed to violence show excessive irritability, emotional distress and also in extreme cases develop criminal violent tendencies.
The circular issued by the Ministry of Education in 2016 (Circular No 12 issued on 29/04/2016) has outlawed physical punishment and has outlined methods of positive discipline, such as advising children, talking to parents and guardians limiting privileges enjoyed by the child.
NCPA hopes to create awareness about the contents of the circular through its street drama group and workshops for teachers and principals with the use of techniques such as role play.
NCPA urges the general public to inform of violence against children through its 24 hours toll-free helpline 1929Marini de Livera (Attorney at Law)
Chairperson
National Child Protection Authority -
CASE RELATING TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABUSE OF 15 YEAR OLD GIRL HEARD IN BATTICALOA COURTS
Press Release – 23.02.2018,
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION AUTHORITY (NCPA) CHAIRPERSON APPEARS ON BEHALF OF CHILD VICTIM WITH ASSISTANT DIRECTOR LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIT
The request was made by the victim’s family and civil society that NCPA should get actively involved in the said case and monitor the investigation.
The Magistrate ordered that an opinion be sought from the Attorney-General as to whether the Charge Sheet could be amended.
The said case will be taken up on 10th May 2018.
NCPA requests the general public to provide information on similar instancesof Corporal Punishment to its 24 hour toll-free ChildLine on 1929.Marini de Livera (Attorney at Law)
Chairperson
National Child Protection Authority
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COMBATTING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS, CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS AND REMAND HOMES
Press Release – 07.02.2018,
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has initiated a programme to eliminate Corporal Punishment meted out to children in all settings. NCPA hopes to sensitize Principals and Teachers on the contents of the circular relating to the right of the child to protection from corporal punishment.
Awareness Raising methods such as street-drama, interactive workshops and discussions will be used to create public opinion on this mode of cruel and degrading form of punishment.
NCPA calls on the general public to inform the Authority through its 24 hours child-line ‘1929’if children are being subjected to this type of institutionalized and systematic violence.
The recently released concluding observations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Child highlights the need to combat corporal punishment in the home, in alternative care setting, in penal institutions, as well as in schools.Marini de Livera
Attorney at Law
Chairperson – National Child Protection Authority -
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION AUTHORITY TAKES ACTION AGAINST A WOMAN WHO USED A CHILD FOR BEGGING IN A PLACE OF WORSHIP
Press Release – 05.02.2018,
A woman who was begging with a child at a place of worship is being investigated by the Special Police Unit of National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). NCPA after ascertaining if the Child really belongs to the 33 years old woman will embark on a “Family Strengthening Exercise” by providing Training to the Mother of the Child victim in an income – generating activity of her choice. The NCPA urges the general public to call on 1929 and inform its ChildLine staff if they spot such children subjected to Economic Violence and Child Labour.
Marini de Livera
Attorney at Law
Chairperson – National Child Protection Authority -
THE FINAL VERSION OF THE NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION POLICY ALMOST READY
Press Release – 02.02.2018,
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Act No. 50 of 1998 establishes the NCPA and also paves the way formulating a National Policy on the preventing of Child Abuse and Protection and Treatment of Children who are victims of such abuse.
The NCPA sought views of the General Public in this regard and has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Committee headed by its Founder Chairman Prof. Harendra De. Silva.
It is expected that the Final Version will be presented for Cabinet Approval by June 2018.Marini de Livera
Attorney at Law
Chairperson – National Child Protection Authority -
CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR ELECTION CAMPAIGNS
Press Release – 01.02.2018
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) requests that no Children are used by Political parties and Independent Groups related Election work.
It has been reported that children are being used for various activities related to the upcoming elections in violation of the rights of these children. The NCPA views this matter very seriously.
The NCPA urges the general public to provide information over its 24 hour ChildLine 1929 if such incidents occur.
Article 36 of Convention of the Rights of the Child declares: “Children should be protected from any activity that could harm their development”.Marini de Livera
Attorney at Law
Chairperson – National Child Protection Authority -
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION AUTHORITY TAKES TOUGH ACTION ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN ALL SCHOOLS
Press Release – 30.01.2018
In response to a complaint made by a student an investigation is being carried out by National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) in relation to an incident in an International School where Nine (09) children had been made to kneel down and their ears were pulled by a teacher as punishment for forgetting to bring their Reading book.
Such Cruel and Degrading Treatment is a violation of Article 11 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
Positive Discipline methods enumerated in Circular No. 2016/12 issued by the Ministry of Education should be resorted to, by all teachers in Sri Lanka where non – violent means such as advising the child and speaking to the parents among other things have been set out in this circular as a means of facilitating a sense of decorum and discipline in classrooms.
In 1990, Sri Lanka also became a party to the United Nations Child Rights Convention (UNCRC) where state parties have taken on legal obligations to take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect her children from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, abuse or maltreatment.Marini de Livera
Attorney at Law
Chairperson – National Child Protection Authority -
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION AUTHORITY LAWYERS READY TO TAKE UP COURT APPEARANCES ON BEHALF OF CHILD VICTIMS OF CRIME
Press Release – 25.01.2018
National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) is deeply concerned about Laws Delays that violate the right to Fair Trial of Child Victims.
The NCPA Legal Unit is willing to facilitate legal representation of child victims and work towards speedy disposition of court cases. If such legal assistance is required you are requested to call 1929 Child Line Sri Lanka.
By Marini de Livera
Attorney at Law – Chairperson
National Child Protection Authority -
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION AUTHORITY MAKES SUBMISSION AT THE SESSION WHERE SRI LANKA’S REPORT IS EXAMINED BY EXPERTS OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHILD RIGHTS COMMITTEE.
Press Release -22.01.2018
As Chairperson of National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) I presented to the above Committee the role played by NCPA in the promotion and protection of the Rights of Children, enumerated by the UN Child Rights Convention.
Sri Lanka became a party to this International Convention in 1990 and took on legal obligations to make the human rights contained there is a ground reality in Sri Lanka. I explained with the use of vibrant illustrations, examples and case studies Sri Lanka’s efforts at combatting Cyber Crime related to Children, Putting an end to corporal punishment, the role of NCPA’s Investigation Unit and Surveillance Unit in daily with Violence against Children, Efforts at strengthening 1929 NCPA toll-free Child Helpline, grassroot projects done with NCPA’s Divisional Officers, Street Drama performances focusing a wide variety of themes relating to Child Rights.
I also spoke of my efforts with regard to strengthening of family units and about our Emergency Shelter for Child Victims of Crime.
NCPA’s effort at reaching international standards with regard to creating child friendly and protective environment was deeply appreciated by the International Community.
Marini de Livera – Attorney at Law
Chairperson – National Child Protection Authority
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NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION AUTHORITY CHAIRPERSON WRITES TO HON. CHIEF JUSTICE ABOUT THE NEED FOR MORE CHILD FRIENDLY COURTS.
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National Day to Commemorate the day to Eliminate Cruelty towards Children
News Release on 04.01.2018
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka by Gazette (No 1581/27 of 26th December 2008) has set apart 4th January 2018 to commemorate the Prevention of Cruelty Against Children.
National Child Protection Authority to travel from village to village; from school to school to provide protection for children.
It is my belief that the entire community should commit themselves to protect children everywhere.
It is our duty to ensure a life of dignity to all our children who all the leaders of tomorrow.
Marini de Livera (Attorney at Law)
Chairperson – National Child Protection Authority -
A programme on Family Strengthening
The Street Drama group of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) depicted the issues relating to children who languish in institutional care; through a through-provoking play performed for 2000 school-children and their families. The evils of institutionalization which have devastating effects on children, destroy families and deliver a heavy cost to society in the long term were explained through a play.
Ms. Lynn Steiner of “Their Future Today, UK” distributed school-books to encourage students of low-income families to continue their education. NCPA hopes to work with “Their Future Today” – UK to strengthen families and communities and to promote the transition from institutional to the family and community-based care, also known as “deinstitutionalisation”.
