Over 1,724 children were subjected to various crimes including grave crimes - murder, rape, serious injuries and kidnapping- during the first six months of this year.
The children are below the age of 18. According to the Inspector Buddhika Balachandra, OIC of the Womens and Childrens Bureau (WCB) over 1,089 complaints of grave crimes have been reported to the Bureau from January to July this year.
During the six months 15 children were killed and several were seriously injured. The Bureau has received over 38 complaints of assaulting under-aged children by their guardians.
The highest number of grave crimes ( 84) has been reported from the Ratnapura district.
The total number of minor crimes reported to the WCB is over 635. Of the total minor crimes, the highest is sexual abuse numbering 280 cases.
Over 300 under-aged children had eloped from their homes.(SS)