22 August 2020 12:00 am
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said that steps have been taken to set up Infant-Receiving Windows at Paediatric Wards in the nine major hospitals in the provinces to receive newborn babies or infants, who have been abandoned for various reasons.
NCPA Chairman Prof. Muditha Vidanapathirana said, special measures had been adopted to ensure that children are protected, from January 2020, in line with the government’s new vision of prosperity.
For this purpose steps have been taken to expedite the setting up of nine units in the nine provinces for the purpose of recording video evidence for the protection of victims of child abuse. Steps have also been taken to expedite the investigations into complaints received by the Child Protection Authority and to arrest suspects of child abuse without delay.
Meanwhile, Prof. Vidanapathirana said, a National Expert Committee had been appointed to prepare a National Policy for Child Day-Care Centres while the 186 vacancies in the NCPA would also be filled as soon as possible. The five-year plan on child protection would also be completed on time.