News
COPA raps Dept. of Probation and Child Care Services
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has revealed that the Department of Probation and Child Care Services has not taken action in respect of 485 complaints it received and as for the investigations they conducted the officials had not followed up to see if their recommendations had been carried out.
The COPA also observed that there was no regulation on cyber crimes against children, who are receiving online education. It said steps should be taken immediately to ensure the safety of children.
COPA also found out that although the mission of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services was to formulate a national policy to protect the rights of children and an implementation mechanism, it had not been done even by 2021.
The Committee, chaired by MP Prof. Tissa Vitarana, said that the Department had also been entrusted with the enactment of laws and the formulating, policies, in line with international standards to safeguard the rights, development and protection of orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children.
The Committee also told officials of the Department that they needed to formulate a systematic legal framework regarding media reportage concerning child affairs. They were also asked by officials to formulate a formal programme to provide counseling services to children.
The discussion took place when the Auditor General’s reports on the Department of Probation and Child Care Services for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 and the current performance report were submitted to the Committee.
COPA Chairman Prof. Vitarana emphasised that the national policies and plans to protect children should be formulated immediately.
It was also revealed that the Department of Probation and Child Care Services had spent Rs. 4.98 million in 2016 on three research projects to inquire into the failure of socialising the children in orphanages, the impact upon the children whose parents are abroad and their safety and on a review of child participation in labour. However, the recommendations and conclusions drawn from those research reports were never implemented.
COPA said it was important to establish a research unit in the Department of Probation and Child Care Services to look into issues faced by children. It was also important to strengthen rural child protection committees, the COPA said.
The COPA suggested that the number of children’s clubs be increased.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi arrived in the island a short while ago on a three-day state visit.
The Indian Prime Minister was received at the Katunayake International Airport by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath.
PM Modi is accompanied by Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Indian Foreign Secretary and several senior officials of the Government of India.
The General Manager of Railways has announced that the following special train services will operate during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period.
1. From Colombo Fort to Badulla – departing Colombo Fort at 1930 hrs on 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th April
2. From Badulla to Colombo Fort – departing Badulla at 1750 hrs on 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th April
3. From Galle to Anuradhapura – departing Galle at 0400 hrs on 12th and 13th April
4. From Anuradhapura to Galle – departing Anuradhapura at 1500 hrs on 12th and 13th April
5. From Colombo Fort to Galle – departing Colombo Fort at 120 hrs on 10th, 11th, 15th and 20th April
6. From Galle to Colombo Fort – departing Galle at 0610 hrs on 11th, 12th, 16th and 21st April
7. From Colombo Fort to Galle – departing Colombo Fort at 1330 hrs on 12th and 13th April
8. From Colombo Fort to Kankasanthurai [Intercity Express] – departing Colombo Fort at 0530 hrs on 11th and 18th April
9. From Kankasanthurai to Colombo Fort [Intercity Express] – departing Kankasanthurai at 1350 hrs on 11th and 18th April
10. From Beliatta to Colombo Fort – departing Beliatta at 0825 hrs on 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th and 20th April
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited Hamburg, Germany, focusing on strengthening vocational education and economic partnerships between the two nations. During her visit, she participated in the 102nd East Asia Friendship Dinner, met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and engaged in high-level discussions on investment, education, and economic reforms.
As a Guest of Honour at the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV) annual gathering, Prime Minister Amarasuriya addressed an audience of business leaders and dignitaries, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and its potential as a growing investment destination. She highlighted the contributions of over 160 German companies in Sri Lanka and invited further collaboration in trade and business.
In her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, the Prime Minister delivered a keynote speech at the ’German-Asian Forum on Vocational Education & Training.’ She acknowledged Germany’s decades-long support in Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector and stressed the importance of modernizing vocational training to align with industry demands. Additionally, she visited ITECH vocational school and German research hubs such as NXP Semiconductors and DESY, discussing collaboration in IT and technology-driven industries.
During her discussions with President Steinmeier, Prime Minister Amarasuriya reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to economic stability, social protection, and national unity. She also attended a business roundtable, where she engaged with German companies and government representatives on economic expansion, digitalization, and sustainable development initiatives.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany, Varuni Muthukumarana, and senior embassy officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Indian PM Modi arrives in Sri Lanka on a three day state visit
Special Train Services during Sinhala and Tamil New Year
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