Escalation of child abuse:

NCPA warns parents to be more vigilant

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) cautioned parents to be vigilant about the behaviour of their young children and also the places they visit regularly since they could easily get involved in unlawful activities.

It has been observed that over 50 child abuse cases have been reported from all parts of the country during the past three months alone, and about 20 schoolchildren were involved in these cases.

It is reported that many schoolchildren are in the habit of visiting various places including cinema halls, places of entertainment, hotels, guest houses and seaside tourists resorts after school with their friends to indulge in numerous illegal activities.

NCPA, Chairperson Anoma Dissanayake told the Junior Observer that it is unlawful for under- aged girls or boys to go to cinema halls, hotels, lodges or seaside tourists guest houses during or after school sessions, other than in the company of parents or guardians.

The NCPA therefore has advised the owners of hotels, lodges, guest houses and seaside tourist huts not to permit under aged males and females to enter such places under any circumstances.

A senior NCPA official said the managers of such places should check their National Identity Cards if there is any doubt as to their age.

It has been observed that certain lodge owners provide accommodation to persons accompanying under aged children with the intention of earning quick money within a few hours.

Mrs. Dissanayaka further said that the general public could make complaints pertaining to child abuse to the NCPA hotline 1929 , so that they can take action to send officials to crack down on offenders. The public can also inform the nearest police stations about such incidents.

The NCPA has also focused special attention on schoolchildren entering cinema halls and places of entertainments in uniforms to see matinee shows and advised the managers of such places to strictly abide by the rules and not permit them to do so.

The NCPA Chairperson also warned parents to send their children to school only in vans where drivers are accompanied by elderly women for the protection of their children.

She said that in a recent incident, a ten-year-old school girl was molested by a school van driver at a lonely place near Kollupitiya. At the time of the incident only the girl had been inside the van with the driver.

International Day of Friendship :

An ideal platform to foster peace

Still in its infancy when compared to the numerous international days observed around the world today,the new International Friendship Day declared by the UN marks two years tomorrow, July 30 . It is indeed an important day we all need to focus our attention on purely because of the reason it was introduced by the United Nations - to basically foster world peace. At a time when the fabric of world peace is woven in vibrant hues of red, black and blue reflecting the angry, discordant and discontented moods of the people instead of the calm and soothing colours representing love, peace and harmony, a special day to focus on friendship, especially among nations is truly significant.

International Friendship Day was traditionally celebrated in the USA and other countries on the first Sunday of August each year. However, in 2011 the United Nations declared July 30 to be the new International Day of Friendship.Intenational Day of Friendship was proclaimed on July 30 in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.Delivering the message at the inaugural observation of this special day, last year, the Secretery-General Ban ki Moon pointed out that UNESCO’s Constitution speaks of the need for peace based not just on the “political and economic arrangements of governments”, but on the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind”.

He also said that : the concepts of friendship; harmony; tolerance; mutual respect and mutual concern are a part of the Organization’s very fibre and that they are now the focus of the International Day of Friendship.He further stated that it is a resolution that highlights the potential of friendship to “build bridges” and “inspire peace efforts”. Quoting a statement made by a past President of the USA, President Woodrow Wilson that“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.”the Secretery-General called upon the world to pledge to work together in order to strengthen that cement and build “a peaceful, more prosperous world so old friendships can flourish and new ones can be made.

What do you think about it? Friendship can indeed be the base of world peace and as children you can play a pivotal role in carrying the torch of friendship throughout the globe.

Friendship is something we all need and search for to journey through life. Friendship has no boundaries or barriers not only in the human world but also in the animal kingdom. You may have seen and heard how even arch rivals in the animal world become friends, especially during times of need. So,why can't we take a cue from our dumb friends and extend a hand of friendship to our fellow humans, especially with the aim of fostering peace?

To mark the International Day of Friendship the UN encourages governments, international organisations and civil society groups to hold events, activities and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.

Make this day your platform to dye the fabric of world peace in new harmonising colours and mend its frayed edges with the bonds of friendship. –Miru

[News in Brief]

by Rohana JAYALAL

Moves to revive Jaffna's Palmyrah Research Institute

The Government has taken steps to revive the now defunct Palmyrah Research Institute in Kaithady, Jaffna, Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development sources said.

Palmyrah Research Institute in Kaithady, Jaffna has been defunct since 1995 The project to restore the facility is an initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa as part of the Northern province development programme .

The Government has invested Rs 45 million for the construction of the building and India has provided Rs 70 million for installing modern industrial equipment in the facility.

The Palmyrah Research Institute is expected to develop new palmyrah based products and value added products such as palmyrah pulp, jaggery, vinegar, and charcoal.

Palmyrah is considered a tree that is bound to the culture of the Tamil people of Jaffna and the palm provides a number of uses as food, beverage and timber.

 Oil exploration to be expanded

The Government has decided to expand the oil exploration activities from Mannar in the northwest to Galle in the South next year,Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat sources said.

Following the discovery of gas and liquid hydrocarbons deposits in two out of the three wells drilled last year by Cairn Lanka, this year the Government has decided to offer up to 10 offshore blocks .

Currently the results are being evaluated and the results in combination with further interpretation of the existing 3D data, will form the basis for the 2013 drilling campaign, the Director General said.

According to Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat sources the Secretariat plans to offer up to 10 offshore blocks for exploration under the upcoming Sri Lanka 2012 bid round.

Upon the successful completion of the first phase, Cairn Lanka, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cairn India, has recently acquired a further 600 square kms of 3D seismic data in their current block and is now engaged in the second phase of oil exploration in Sri Lanka.