Sri Lanka Adopts Long-Delayed Reform To Mark Children's Day: Children Will No Longer Be Called To Witness Box As Witnesses

Senior DIG (Crime and Traffic) Ajith Rohana stated that the process of interrogating children involved in criminal cases by using video technology will commence from today (01) to coincide with the World Children's Day.

He added that such children would no longer be called to the witness stand.

The DIG pointed out that although this law had existed for many years, it was rarely implemented in practice.

He said that a Child Evidence Recording unit would be set up from today and that priority should be given to dealing with child-related crimes based on scientific and technical evidence rather than using personal evidence as much as possible.

The DIG said that the safety of child abuse victims would be ensured and that action would be taken to prosecute the perpetrators as soon as possible. He added that if a person is found guilty of child abuse, the High Court can impose a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment with hard labor.