By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe revealed yesterday that 33 percent of the total lawsuits in Magistrate’s Court in Sri Lanka are child abuse and rape cases which was a situation to be ashamed of as a nation.  

He told Parliament that there were 29,723 lawsuits in Magistrate’s Court out of which 5,550 are child abuses while 4,312 are rape cases.  

“A total of 9,662 lawsuits out of 29,723 total cases in Magistrate’s Court are child abuses and rape cases which is 33 percent. We as Sri Lankans should be ashamed and regretful about this situation. These figures show the culture of the people to other countries. We must take action to put a stop to these wrongdoings,” he said.  

The Minister said strict laws have been introduced for the safety of children where 25 laws were enacted by Parliament during the last ten months.  
He said cases on murders and attempted murder and dangerous drugs make up 6,661 out of a total of 29,723 cases which is 22 percent.  

The Minister said 55 percent out of the total of 29, 723cases in Magistrate’s Court are child abuses, rape, murder, attempted murder and dangerous drug cases.  

He said some 1,127,265 total cases were pending in the judicial system in Sri Lanka and added that there were only 399 judges from the Supreme Court to the Magistrate’s Court to attend to 
those cases.