A better future for children

by Sajitha PREMATUNGE

Jagath Wellawatta	Rohan Wijesena	Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara

With the end of war has emerged many other problems, dengue and swine flue the least of our problems. With Sri Lanka once again united, a boom in tourism is expected. Although this is a change for the positive in many ways, unmonitored tourist activities could result in major sociological issues, child sex tourism and trafficking to name a few, adding to the long list of children and women related problems such as sexual harassment, abuse, poverty and health issues, the authorities are burdened with.

According to the chairman of National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), Jagath Wellawatta, last year 1,200 cases of various abuse - rape, trafficking and cruelty cases - have been reported. "This year 500 such cases have been reported in the first four months alone", said the Chairman.

Rohan Wijesena, Legal Assistant to NCPA, said that all cases are reviewed under the criminal law. "All police stations have authority over child abuse cases and the NCPA has the full authority to intervene if and when necessary." The Chairmen of the NCPA has the authority even to issue a search warrant without the order of a magistrate. Under the criminal law sexual harassment can range from touching to rape with or without the consent of a girl below the age of 16. Trafficking involves using children for forced labour, prostituting or child pornography.

According to NCPA ironically more boys are subject to sex tourism than girls. Two categories of children subjected to sex tourism - children living in coastal areas and children who live in what was used to be called border villages. Children living in coastal areas such as Negombo and specially Kaluvamodara in Hikkaduwa are subject to sex tourism.

"When tourists help children specially beach boys, parents fail to see through the apparent altruism" says Chairman Jagath Wellawatta.

Parents become unwitting accomplices in the industry of child sex tourism. "Blinded by mere economic advantages, some parents even encourage children to interact with tourists." He further explained that although it cannot be considered as a crime some parents encourage their daughters to develop relationships with foreigners.

This is a vicious cycle that leads to child trafficking. "The girls get pregnant and the babies are then sold to foreigners." Although parents or the mother of the child receives only around Rs. 30,000, babies are often sold for over Rs. 100,000. Brokers take most of the money.

It is a much different story with children who live in what used to be referred to as conflict villages. Children came to Colombo or to the free trade zones and end up as child prostitutes. Often pimps take advantage their immaturity and the ignorant girls from villages fall pray.

Chairman Jagath Wellawatta explained that today's commercialized society only help to reinforce such behaviour. "Most girls who later become prostitutes meet their clients - who are mostly foreign - through karaoke bars, massage parlours and night clubs."

Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara, Head, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, identifies street children as another category who are repeatedly subject to abuse. He explained that with the end of the war we are still at a transitional period concerning tourism. "There are three categories of children - helpless, orphaned and abandoned" said Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara.

"There must always exist social integration, solidarity and a value and norm system for the ideal environment for children to grow up in, but as he explained this is not always the case. Children of prostitutes, beggars and children whose parents are living together do not have the luxury of such a living environment. They end up on the markets and bus stands of Pettah often abused by 'naattami' who transport goods" said Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara.

Child pornography is another issue that requires immediate attention, especially since as Jagath Wellawatta explained, it has reached school level. Jagath Wellawatta explained that parents and teachers are mostly to be blamed for this sort of hardships faced by children. He identifies lack of closeness intimacy between parents and children and children and teachers as the major cause. He explained that the NCPA are in the process of developing a set of communication guidelines to counter this lack of understanding. And apart from the usual training programs conducted via the NCPA, plans are already drawn to establish a National Child Counselling Centre especially for teenagers.

Jagath Wellawatta said that as in any other country that is engaged in tourism, sex is an industry. "But with the right laws, regulations and vigilance we can keep the situation under control."

For complaints regarding any form of child abuse call Ministry of Child Development and Women Empowerment 1929.