Study on slum-dwelling women and children

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

A comprehensive study on women and children living in slums is being conducted, said Child Development and Women Empowerment Minister Tissa Karalliyadde. He said it is essential to provide them a better environment so that their physical and mental health could be improved.

The reports on children and women in outstation districts including the North and the East are being studied by the Ministry at present. A six-month action plan which will address the main issues relating to children and women could be ready within one month, he said.

Referring to the recent incident of the abduction of a child at the kelaniya Temple, the minister said stern action should be taken against the culprits as a deterrent to society. Cases relating to crimes committed against children need to be completed without undue delay, the Minister said.

Commenting on the timely action taken by the electronic and print media on the kelaniya incident, the Minister said an emergency telephone line '1929' has been installed at his Ministry so that people could contact his Ministry regarding such incidents.

According to a spokesman of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) a number of child kidnapping and trafficking incidents have been reported recently. The NCPA while studying the situation has made arrangements to arrest this trend in the interest of the country's future. Parents are largely responsible for the plight of children who have fallen victim to the viles of the unscrupulous elements of society, he said.