Bill to protect women and children, an urgent need

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) yesterday said that it has already presented a Bill to Parliament to ensure women's and children's rights in order to impose rigorous punishment on those who abuse children and women.

It is said that nearly 50 to 75 abuse cases related to women and children were reported from various parts of the country during the past three months alone.

NCPA Chairperson Anoma Dissanayake told the Junior Observer that all members of Parliament have given their utmost support for the Bill considering it as a national need.

She said that everybody in the country knows that child and women abuse cases should be eliminated forthwith and offenders should be severely punished without considering their status in society. As the authorities cannot stem this growing menace single handedly , the NCPA has requested parents to be vigilant about their children at all times and not to isolate them under any circumstances.

She reiterated the need for parents to be also vigilant about school van drivers because there was a risk of children being abused by them. She requested parents to ensure that an elderly woman accompanies the drivers for the protection of children, especially females.

She also cautioned the owners of hotels, guest houses and cinema halls to be on the look out for underaged males and females visiting their premises.

They should not be permitted to enter these places without any adults under any circumstances, as child abuse incidents reported from such places are on the increase.

"According to the law, it is illegal for underaged children to go to hotels, lodges or cinema halls without their parents or a guardian accompanying them.

"The managers of these places could check their National Identity Cards if any doubt arises, and ensure that children are not subject to abuse at such places , " she said.Mrs. Dissanayaka added that the mangers and the general public could complain to the NCPA hotline 1929, about possible child abuse incidents.

The NCPA will take prompt action to send officials to crack down on offenders.

The public could also inform the nearest police stations about such incidents and protect children and women from being abused.

War hero conquers sports arena

by Rohana JAYALAL

Pradeep Sanjaya who represented Sri Lanka in the Men's 400-m T46 event at the London Paralympics Games has won the first ever medal for Sri Lanka in the Paralympics wining the bronze medal with a timing of 49.28 seconds which was read as a new regional record.

Matzinger Gunther of Austria won the gold medal with a timing of 48.45 (T46) seconds while Brazilian Nascimento Yohansson (T 45) won the silver by clocking 49.21 seconds.

Pradeep who erased the T46 400m Asian records placed Sri Lanka in the 68th position in the London Paralympics medals table.

This is a remarkable achievement from Lance Corporal Sanjaya whose left arm was paralyzed as a result of a mortar blast in Kilinochchi in 2008.His disability has not not prevented him from becoming an athletic hero for his country.

Sanjaya was placed first in both 400m and 200m events at the Army Para Games in 2010 and set a new army record in the 4 x 100 relay event clinching the first place. At the Asian Para Games 2010, held in China, he won first place in the 400m and took part in the 200m.

He further accelerated his timing at the 2012 Selection Trials for Para Olympic Games in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia and went on to create a new Asian record by finishing first in the 200m in 22.98 seconds.

In the same championship, he secured the first place in the 400m event by clocking 50.56 seconds.

Pradeep Sanjaya is a Lance Corporal of 4 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.Twenty six year old Sanjaya is married and has a son.

He completed his primary and secondary education at Gampaha Mirigama Delwala Vidyalaya and is a resident of Divuldeniya in Mirigama.

In spite of his disability this determined young war hero set his sight to make his presence felt in the sports arena and has finally brought fame to his motherland he loves so much.