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| Sunday, 10 April 2005 |
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NE children affected most by Rohan Mathes The tsunami tragedy has orphaned 4810 children, of which 1071 have lost both parents, and now living with their relations within an extended family, Department of Probation and Child Care Services Commissioner D. M. S. Abayagunawardana disclosed. The Commissioner told the Sunday Observer that according to statistics received to date at his office on children affected by the tsunami, the North East Province has recorded the highest number of 2891 children, from which 740 have lost both their parents. Batticaloa, Ampara, Trincomalee, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna districts have recorded 1105, 1116, 178, 1, 397 and 94 respectively. The Southern Province has recorded 1760 orphaned children, of which 276 have lost both parents, followed by the Western Province which has recorded 105, from which 42 are deemed to have lost both parents. Central, Uva, North West, North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces too have recorded 17, 22, 2, 2 and 11 orphaned children respectively. Statistics reveal that in the Southern Province, highest recorded have been in Hambantota 318, Kadawatsathara 294, Hikkaduwa 208 and Tangalle 102. Probation Officers attached to the Department of Probation and Child Care Services have held inquiries and identified, in the best interest of the child, the best and proper 'person' to be the guardian of children, and submitted their reports to court. The court has decided and appointed guardians according to the 'Children and Young Persons Ordinance'. These decisions will be valid for two to three years and then renewed as necessary by court. However, if the guardians wish to adopt a child, they could do so, according to the 'Adoption Ordinance', Commissioner Abayagunawardana explained. He said that there would be awareness programs at Divisional Secretariat level to make the guardians aware of childrens' rights and their responsibilities to enable them to develop their mental status. He further noted that the guardians will be assisted by an allowance of Rs.500 per child. They would also implement the 'Sevana Sarana' and 'Kepakaru' sponsorship programs which are sponsored by both locals and foreigners, for educational purposes. Priority is given for these children to be brought-up within the extended family, instead of adoption by locals and foreigners and also institutions. To date, only 16 unaccompanied children have been institutionalised. Court has already decided on about 500 'fit' persons as guardians, the Commissioner added. |
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