NCPA to amend Laws pertaining to Children

COLOMBO (News 1st): The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has taken measures to amend the laws pertaining to children, its Chairman said. "Five areas in the legal system pertaining to children will be amended; five special sub-committees were appointed in this regard," Prof. Mudith Vidanapathirana, the Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) told News 1st on Tuesday (Mar. 02). According to Prof. Vidanapathirana, based on the existing laws, a child is identified as someone below the age of 12, 14 and 16 under various circumstances; thereby, one sub-committee is tasked with the aim of eliminating the discrepancies with regard to who is recognized as a child. "The second sub-committee will look into the possibility of conducting police investigations with regard to children in a child-friendly manner," the NCPA Chairman noted. The third sub-committee will take on the task of establishing child-friendly court systems. The fourth sub-committee is tasked with drafting an act pertaining to video technology. Another sub-committee has been appointed to update the prevailing policies pertaining to children. According to the NCPA Chairman, the committees are established with the participation of around 80 experts from law-faculties. The draft bill in this regard is expected to be completed by March 31st and submitted to the Minister of Justice as soon as possible, NCPA Chairman, Prof. Mudith Vidanapathirana further noted.