New Act against abuse

By Indika Sri Aravinda


The Ministry of Child Development and Women's Affairs said that it is taking steps to bring in a new Act to prevent child and women abuse through the use of mobile phones, computers and the internet.

Speaking to Daily Mirror online, Child Development and Women's Affairs Minister Tissa Karaliyadde said as there is no proper legal framework at present to prevent these crimes; the ministry is taking necessary measures to bring in a new act to protect children and women.

The minister added that the prevailing act which was enacted in 1929 does not have the ability to impose punishments for crimes committed with the use of the latest technology.

The minister added that he had spoken to the President regarding this matter this week during a progress review meeting and that adequate steps will be taken by the ministry to bring in this act.

The ministry has focused its attention regarding incidents on obscene images of children and women being leaked to the internet with the use of mobile phones, threatening calls being made with the use of SIM cards and the creation of obscene images of children and women through Facebook.

Karalliyadde reiterated that there is a need for a new act which will have legal clauses to minimize the affect these crimes will have on children and family disputes. He said that the ministry is hoping to seek international help to prevent such crimes as it has a huge impact on society. (Daily Mirror online)