Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC

A 2-day program aimed at the capacity building of Probation Officers on ' Management of child protection in a child rights framework' was held on 28th & 29th July 2011 at the SEDEC Auditorium, attended by 44 Probation Officers from the Western Province.

Rev Sr Nilanthi Ranasinghe FMM, Caritas Child Rights Officer who arranged this program addressed the participants on the ' Development stages of a child'. Dr Harini Amarasooriya, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Colombo spoke on ' Roles and responsibilities of Probation Officers in child protection' while Mr Sajeewa Samaranayake, Child Rights Consultant dealt with ' Protection of child rights in an institution' and Dr Prathiba Mahanamahewa, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo addressed on  ''Who is a victim, what are the legal rights of victims of child abuse, and how to safeguard the rights of victims in court proceedings'.

The program participants shared many problems they are facing in the protection of children and in upholding their rights. At the end of the program, the view was expressed that this type of training should be further developed and strengthened so that many more government officials could be capacitated to render a greater service to the country.