இலங்கையில் சிறுவர் துஷ்பிரயோகப் போக்குகள், சட்டக் கட்டமைப்பு மற்றும் நீதித்துறைத் தாமதங்கள்:  ஒரு கொள்கைசார் பகுப்பாய்வு (2014-2023): Child Abuse Trends, Legal Framework, and Judicial Delays in Sri Lanka: A Policy Analysis (2014-2023)

டி. முகமது முபாஸ்; சி. சிவநாயகம்; ஆர்.எம். தன்சீம்

doi:10.63300/tm12012026.11

Authors

T. Mohamed Mufas Teacher at Sahwa Ladies Arabic Collage - Oluvil, Author
C. Sivanayagam Department of Social Sciences, Eastern University, EUSL, Author
R.M. Thanzeem B.A. (Hons) Sociology SEUSL. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63300/tm12012026.11

Keywords:

Child abuse, National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), 1929 Helpline, Ishalini case, Judicial delays, Child labor, Policy reforms

Abstract

Children are the future pillars of a society and the foundation of its human capital. Despite the existence of various international declarations for child rights and protection globally, violence and abuse against children remain an unresolved contemporary social issue. Based on 64,569 complaints received by Sri Lanka's National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) over the ten-year period from 2014 to 2023, this article comprehensively examines child abuse trends in Sri Lanka. It identifies the social, economic, familial, and technological factors driving the recent increase in violence against children, and analyzes how massive judicial delays and institutional shortcomings further exacerbate this issue. Specifically, the rise in school dropouts and child labor exploitation resulting from the 2022 economic crisis are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the 2021 death of the young girl 'Jude Kumar Mishalini' and the Nuwara Eliya school incident are handled as key case studies to expose systemic failures within Sri Lanka's child protection system. Finally, this article proposes awareness programs, the introduction of sex education in schools, judicial reforms, and psychological rehabilitation recommendations for victimized children to put an end to this issue.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

T. Mohamed Mufas, Teacher at Sahwa Ladies Arabic Collage - Oluvil,

டி. முகமது முபாஸ்,ஆசிரியர், சஹ்வா பெண்கள் அரபுக் கல்லூரி - ஓலுவில்,

T. Mohamed Mufas^*, Teacher at Sahwa Ladies Arabic Collage - Oluvil,

*Correspondence: mufasnmohamed@gmail.com,Tel: +940771116923
C. Sivanayagam, Department of Social Sciences, Eastern University, EUSL,

சி. சிவநாயகம், சமூக அறிவியல் துறை, கிழக்குப் பல்கலைக்கழகம், EUSL.

C. Sivanayagam , Department of Social Sciences, Eastern University, EUSL,
R.M. Thanzeem, B.A. (Hons) Sociology SEUSL.

ஆர்.எம். தன்சீம் , பி.ஏ. (கௌரவ) சமூகவியல், SEUSL.

R.M. Thanzeem, B.A. (Hons) Sociology SEUSL.

References

[1]. Arulmolivarman. Child Abuse in Sri Lanka. The Samnet, n.d. Web.

[2]. Centre for Policy Alternatives. Statement Calling on an End to Impunity on Child Labour, Trafficking, and Sexual Exploitation. CPA Sri Lanka, 2021. Print.

[3]. Hettiarachchi, Devashmika. "Management of Victims of Child Abuse in Sri Lanka: The View of a Child Psychiatrist." Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, vol. 49, no. 3, 2020, pp. 279-283. Print.

[4]. Hizbullah Anvari, J. M. Child Abuse and Necessary Awareness. Islam Kalvi, 2018. Web.

[5]. i-Probono. Children First: A Deep Dive into the National Child Protection Authority's Role in Child Protection. i-Probono Reports, 2024. Print.

[6]. i-Probono. Justice Delayed: 40,000 Child Abuse Cases Await Action in Sri Lanka. i-Probono Case Studies, 2025. Web.

[7]. International Labour Organization. Sri Lanka Progress Report on Child Labour Elimination. ILO / IPEC, 2025. Print.

[8]. Jackson, Yo. "Future Directions in Child Maltreatment Research." Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, vol. 52, no. 4, 2023, pp. 450-465. Print.

[9]. Lucas, G. N. "Child, Adolescent and Youth: Definitions." Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, vol. 52, no. 2, 2023, pp. 100-105. Print.

[10]. Mahesan, V. "Child Abuse in Northern Sri Lanka: Socio-Demographic Correlates." Jaffna Medical Journal, vol. 32, no. 1, 2016, pp. 45-52. Print.

[11]. Manoharitha, M. "The Shockwaves of Child Abuse Threatening Sri Lanka." Virakesari, 2023. Web.

[12]. Masliya, A. L., and M. I. Nasrin. "The Reasons for the Rapid Increase in Child Abuse: A Study Based on Valaichenai Judicial & Administrative Divisions." SEU Arts Research Session, 2020. Print.

[13]. Mohammad Ilyas, L. R. Child Abuse: A Study Based on Sainthamaruthu Divisional Secretariat Division in Ampara District. South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 2016. Print.

[14]. National Child Protection Authority. About the NCPA and the 1929 Helpline. NCPA Sri Lanka, n.d. Web.

[15]. World Vision Lanka. Child Protection and Prevention of Neglect. World Vision Reports, 2021. Web.