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The children’s hotline, which is operating under the Police Department at present will be taken over by the authority soon and will be further developed to ensure instant response to complaints. It has also launched a programme to increase social awareness of child rights and child abuse. This programme has received a very positive response. At this meeting Prof. Harendra De Silva, Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) presented the first copies of an audiocassette and a CD “Sanda Tharu Mal” (Moon Stars and Flowers), produced by the Authority to President Kumaratunga. All proceeds from the marketing of the audiocassette and the CD go to the NCPA fund for the protection of children. Veteran singers of the country have voluntarily participated in producing the audiocassette and the CD. The Authority pays special attention to children in war-effected areas including the North and East. A special radio broadcast will commence to assist them with their education. The NCPA has developed a National Child Protection Action Plan and their focus is mainly on the prevention of child abuse, increasing child protection, making legal reforms and law enforcement and child rehabilitation and re-integration. Legal reforms also envisage the establishment of a children’s court system and making the existing legal procedures more children friendly. A major problem faced by the NCPA is the shortage of staff to handle prosecutions of cases of child abuse reported to the Authority. The Authority also has programmes to develop human resources in childcare, especially in counselling. These programmes too suffer heavily due to the lack of skilled personnel such as psychiatrists. The President directed treasury officials to provide more financial assistance to the NCPA. The NCPA has also been advised to seek the assistance of expatriate Sri Lankan experts who may volunteer to help the children back home. Those
wishing to assist can contact
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