Over 5000 unprotected children in Anuradhapura

By Dayaratne Embogama

Colombo, May 28 (Daily Mirror) - A recent survey has revealed 5780 children in the Anuradhapura district are vulnerable to sexual harassment or rape. DIG North Central Province T.B.Sugathapala told the meeting of the District Coordinating Committee that they are underage children less than 16 years of age.

The District Coordinating Committee met under the co-chairmanship of Minister Wasantha Samarasinha and Governor Wasantha Jinadasa at the Provincial Council Auditorium.

The DIG said 4.248 of them are of the high-risk group and that the most number of unprotected children have been reported from the Thambuttegama area.

“Sexual violence has increased in alarming proportions, and 36 rape cases had been reported last year. This year 24 incidents of rape have been reported for the last five months alone. The parents in several families are employed abroad leaving their children in the care of relatives. Quite often, the parents neglect their children and fail to provide them care and attention” The DIG said.

He further said the police has been watchful of the those identified as unprotected children and implementing programmes to prevent any possible danger to them.

Chief Secretary Ranjana Jayasinghe, Actg. District Secretary Sandya Abesekara, Addl. District Secretary Deepal Sirimanna, and Divisional Secretaries in the district and several parliamentarians were present.