The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has instructed relevant authorities to expedite investigations and strengthen safeguards for a minor at the centre of an ongoing child abuse case in Anuradhapura.
The directive was issued during a meeting of the Caucus held in Parliament on 5 June to review the progress of investigations and discuss the next steps relating to the case.
The meeting was chaired by Minister of Women and Child Affairs and Caucus Chairperson Saroja Savithri Paulraj and attended by representatives of the Attorney General’s Department, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, and the Sri Lanka Police.
The Caucus instructed authorities to ensure that all investigations are conducted strictly in accordance with court orders and called for forensic and medical reports related to the case to be obtained without delay.
Members also noted that court proceedings involving the minor are currently being heard in Anuradhapura, Attanagalla, and Dambulla. The NCPA was requested to monitor all three proceedings and take steps to minimise the repeated trauma experienced by the child through involvement in multiple legal processes.
The Attorney General’s Department agreed to a request by the Caucus to appear before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court to facilitate legal proceedings and improve coordination among relevant State institutions.
The Department of Probation and Child Care Services was further instructed to continue monitoring matters relating to the child’s education, health, and safety.
The Caucus also stressed the importance of strengthening coordination among law enforcement agencies handling child abuse cases and agreed to pursue interventions aimed at improving institutional cooperation.
In addition, members decided that guidelines should be developed for media reporting and judicial proceedings involving child abuse cases to better safeguard the privacy, security, and dignity of child victims. A subcommittee operating under the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus will oversee this process.
The subcommittee will also examine legal and practical challenges arising in child abuse litigation and recommend measures to address them.
Among those who attended the meeting were Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, MPs Hasara Liyanage, Lakmali Hemachandra, and Sagarika Athauda. Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne and MPs Thushari Jayasinghe and Anushka Thilakarathne participated online.
