A delegation from UNICEF, accompanied by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children (VAC), Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday [25 June] at the Parliament premises.

The discussion was focused on further strengthening cooperation and engagement with the Government of Sri Lanka on ensuring the protection and well-being of children, and efforts to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against children.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister acknowledged UNICEF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly during the response to Cyclone Ditwah, as well as its longstanding contributions to reforms in education and early childhood education and initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing violence against children.

The Prime Minister noted that while Sri Lanka has made significant progress in developing policies, the challenge lies in ensuring their effective implementation. She emphasized the need to address gaps in institutional capacity and human resources, while strengthening coordination among the various parts responsible for child protection while highlighting the critical role of frontline workers in the delivery of child protection services.

During the discussion, representatives of UNICEF emphasized the importance of bringing together all relevant stakeholders to address gaps in child protection procedures and referral pathways. Particular attention was given to ensuring that children have clear and accessible mechanisms through which they can report abuse and seek assistance.

Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid highlighted the importance of strengthening the competencies of frontline professionals on psycho social support, early detection, defining direct signs, techniques of effective listening, and safeguarding privacy. The discussions also underscored the growing importance of protecting children from online violence and abuse, and the need to strengthen measures to ensure children’s safety in digital environments.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children; Ms. Emma Brigham, UNICEF Representative; Mr. Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator; officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and additional secretaries and officials from the Ministry of Education.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday said that the arrest of three individuals, including the son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) organiser, was in connection with a high-profile bribery investigation linked to underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias Harak Kata.

Those arrested were Attorney-at-Law Rakhitha Rajapakshe, son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, SJB Horana electorate organiser Charith Abeysinghe, and former Civil Aviation Authority Director Aruna Sri Chathuranga.

According to the CIABOC, in 2023, while Harak Kata was being held by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a bribe of Rs. 500 million had allegedly been demanded from his wife, Madushika Madhuwanthi, in Dubai to secure Harak Kata’s release from detention or facilitate his transfer to a prison other than the Boossa High Security Prison in Galle, the CIABOC said.

The CIABOC said the alleged bribe had subsequently been reduced to Rs. 200 million, of which Rs. 120 million had allegedly been obtained as an advance payment.The suspects were produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday evening and ordered to be remanded till July 03.

by Norman Palihawadane ✍️

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday told Parliament that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which had remained in force for 46 years despite being introduced as a temporary measure, would be repealed within the next few months.

The President said Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara had completed drafting the legislation that would replace the PTA and that the final discussions on the matter had already been concluded.

“The PTA was introduced in 1979 as a temporary law, but it has continued for the past 46 years. There have been strong public demands for its repeal,” President Dissanayake said.

He said the government was committed to abolishing the controversial legislation while ensuring that the country remained equipped to deal with organised crime and serious security threats.

The President said a new legal framework would be introduced specifically to address organised criminal activities, with clearly defined provisions and safeguards to prevent misuse.

He noted that one of the major criticisms against the PTA was its broad definition of terrorism, which had raised concerns over possible violations of fundamental rights and democratic freedoms.

The proposed legislation, he said, would focus narrowly on organised crime while protecting constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and other civil liberties.

President Dissanayake also said the government had taken steps to amend the Online Safety Act introduced by the previous administration, instead of implementing it in its existing form.Although the legislation had been passed by Parliament, it had not been enforced under the present administration, he said, adding that Cabinet approval had already been granted to proceed with amendments.

He stressed that legal reforms should be carried out through a transparent process that respected public rights, noting that previous instances where laws passed by Parliament were later amended at the Cabinet level had raised concerns regarding transparency and due process.The President said the government’s approach was to ensure that new laws addressed security challenges while maintaining democratic values and safeguarding individual freedoms.

By Saman Indrajith ✍️