Sri Lanka to enact new laws against exploitation of children

Sri Lanka is planning to formulate and enact necessary laws to protect children from exploitation and provide them with maximum protection.

Addressing a media briefing today the Minister of Child Development and Women's Affairs Tissa Karaliyadda has said that the President has given instructions to formulate necessary legislation to prevent exploitation of children for begging and underage labour and provide maximum protection to women and children from social discriminations and ill treatment.

Accordingly prevailing Acts are being revised, the Minister has said.

The Minister has explained that during the war abuses of women and children did not come to the open as the masses were more concerned over their security and safety but now, with the end of the terrorism, the problems relating to child abuse and mistreatment of women have come to the attention of the society.

Pointing out that unscrupulous groups use children for financial gain by using them in begging during festivals and other occasions, Karaliyadda has said that the government is considering implementing new laws to take stringent action against such groups.

The Minister urged the people to start treating the children right from birth to build a strong base for a disciplined and honourable society.