Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC

In pursuance of the initiative begun in June 2011, a further group of 45 Grade I and Grade II Jailors working with children and women in 26 prisons countrywide participated in a 2-day workshop held at the SEDEC Auditorium under the theme 'Capacity building on management of child abuse within a Child Rights Framework'.

Mr Sarath Abeygunawardene, Commissioner of the Child Probation Department addressed the participants on how to protect children and their rights within an institution while Mrs Sajeevani Abayakoon, Attorney-at-Law and Member of the Legal Aid Commission explained the need to understand children and protect their dignity before proceeding to courts. She also elaborated on the legal proceedings that apply to different circumstances.

Rev. Sr. Nilanthi Ransinghe, Child Rights Program Officer of Caritas Sri Lanka under whose guidance the workshop was organised first dwelt on the development stages of a child, how to understand children in different situations and according to their psychological capacities.

Senior Lecturer in the University of Colombo, Dr Prathiba Mahanamahewa explained who is a victim and the legal rights of victims.

Mr Sajeeva Samaranayake, Child Rights Consultant spoke about safeguarding children during court proceedings and while in  prison.

The workshop participants expressed appreciation of the efforts taken by Caritas SEDEC and the Prisons authorities in arranging this program of much educational value.