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Safe houses for abused children
by Ananda KANNANGARA
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has decided to
establish safe houses and foster homes in all the provinces to provide
safety and care for abused children.
According to reports, 878 children, between 10 to 16 years were
abused in 2009 and 200 child victims, under the age of 10 years also
reported in the same year.
NCPA, Chairperson, Anoma Dissanayake told the Junior Observer that
abused children who are sent to these safe houses will be looked after
well by provincial probation officers under the guidance of the NCPA.
She said safe houses will be established in collaboration with
provincial probation officers in areas where there is a lot of calm and
quiet as abused children need such an environment to heal and feel
protected.
"We have decided to open the first safe house in the North Central
Province and are also looking for individuals who are willing to take
care of such children,".
She said the NCPA was prepared to pay these individuals to take care
of these children.
Ms. Dissanayake also said a special fund will be opened under the
NCPA Act to enable interested persons to make donations to be utilised
for the welfare of such children. For more information in this regard,
contact telephone number 0112778911/2.
Let's
celebrate Earth Day
Preserving and protecting the Earth is the responsibility of each and
every one of us because it is the only home we have.
Today we are reaping the results of all the damage we have done to
Mother Earth, so it is important that we take action at least now to
stop abusing the Earth.
Earth Day which falls on April 22 is an ideal time to focus our
attention on ways to minimise the negative impact we humans have made on
the Earth.
Think of ways you and your family and friends could make this year's
Earth Day special. Initiate action to get a campaign going at school and
your neighbourhood.
Earth Day which began in a small way has grown in significance today,
becoming one of the most important hallmarks in the world of
conservation and recycling.
It carries with it powerful connotations of ecological responsibility
and taking ownership of our planet.
The first Earth Day was founded by Gaylord Nelson, a United States
Senator on April 22, 1970 to instigate action to make positive
environmental changes in our community. The first Earth Day was attended
by 20 million Americans nationwide,
This small attempt to start something of this scale on the national
level brought millions of people to band together in their
neighborhoods, starting grassroots campaigns to help revolutionize the
way we handled waste, recycling, power consumption, and conservation in
general.
That event set a powerful precedent for the rest of the world,
eventually inspiring more than 140 nations all around the globe to have
their own Earth Days.
October 2010
Winners of 'Learn About America'
Essay Competition
The October winners will receive cash awards from the Eisenhower
Fellowship Association in Sri Lanka. on April 11.
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12-14 years
1st place: Cash Award Rs. 30,000
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Winners of July 2010: From left to right; Rajitha Teel
Sudarshana, Fathima Shahala Munaz, Dilini Narmada Rathnayake,
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka - Patricia Butenis, M. N. F. Ashra,
Gaya K. C. Samarakoon |
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Winners of August 2010: From left to right; Sewmini Pieris,
Giyoshi Kesavan, Zameera Zaman Thaha, Madhushani
Abeygunawardhana, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka - Patricia
Butenis, Vihanga Lakshani Amarakoon, Keshya Waidyani Maleeza
Weerakkody, Hazma Waheed |
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Winners of September 2010: From left to right; Yogarajah
Kishanthaney, Suwini Dileka Perera, K. G. Dulanka Chathurangani
Koswaththa, S. A. Dehin Samaraweera, U.S. Ambassador to Sri
Lanka - Patricia Butenis, Hansika Wansatilake, Nanduni Uthpala
Chandrasiri, Fathima Bushra Faris, Rilwan Saliheen Shariffdeen |
Nishara Sangapalaarachchi, St. Nicholas' International College,
Colombo 7.
2nd Place: Cash Award Rs. 20,000
Raveena Weerabahu, Gateway College, Rajagiriya.
3rd Place: Cash Award Rs. 10,000
Yewon Yoon, St. Nicholas' International College, Colombo 07.
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15-16 years
1st place: Cash Award Rs. 30,000
Hashini Rathnayake, Gateway College, Rajagiriya.
2nd Place: Cash Award Rs. 20,000
W. Naveen Devinda, Siridhamma College, Labuduwa, Galle.
3rd Place: Cash Award Rs. 10,000
Linda Warnakulasuriya, Kuda Kusum Balika Vidyalaya, Bandarawela.
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17-18 years
1st place: Cash Award Rs. 30,000
Shahithiya Santoshkumar, Gateway College, Rajagiriya.
2nd Place: Cash Award Rs. 20,000
S. M. M. Razick, Ambakote.
3rd Place: Cash Award Rs. 10,000
Samantha Noreyana Fernando, Gateway College, Rajagiriya. |
