Outdated adoption laws dampen orphans' hopes -Ex-NCPA Chief

by Manjula Fernando

Hundreds of Sri Lankan diaspora members are willing to adopt Lankan orphans but outdated adoption laws are driving them away, former Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Dr. Hiranthi Wijemanne told the Sunday Observer.

"There is a big demand from the Sri Lankan diaspora, both Sinhalese and Tamils, to adopt orphans. I cannot say for certain but the numbers are in the hundreds", Dr. Wijemanne said adding that she has been personally approached by some of the prospective foster parents.

According to Dr. Wijemanne who is a consultant/Advisor to the Justice Ministry and Child Development and Women's Empowerment Ministry, the policies that govern adoption are fairly strict and rather than facilitating the process these tend trying to disqualify prospective families.

"These may have been done with the best interests of the child in mind but, I would strongly advocate reviewing them and bringing in modifications to support the adoption process," Dr. Wijemanne said.

After the conclusion of the military operations in May 2009, the Government said that there were an estimated 600 war orphans.

These children (infants to pre teens) are being cared for in private institutions under the supervision of the Department of Probation and Childcare.

She said the orphans receive education and protection in institutions but that is not the best place for a child to grow up. "We must push for foster parenting schemes supported by regular monitoring and feedback mechanisms, so that the child would be shielded from exploitation and abuse."

She said that some of the conditions in the current laws are unrealistic.

"It is compulsory to get the mother's consent to give a child in an orphanage for adoption. In some cases the child is abandoned by the mother herself. Sometimes it takes an eternity to trace the mother."

"We have to put a ceiling on such conditions. For instance we must set aside one year to locate the mother and if they fail to trace her, we should still go ahead with the adoption process if the foster family is found to be qualified enough," she said adding that this would be in the best interests of the child.