Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus condemns gang rape of 16-year-old girl

Colombo, August 14 (Daily Mirror)- While condemning the gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl in Thanamalwila, the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus alleged that all responsible authorities of Sri Lanka have failed in their duties.

In a statement the Caucus called on the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women and the National Child Protection Authority to oversee all involved parties and ensure that the child is treated with dignity, free from further harassment, and that her recovery and redress processes are managed with the
utmost care.

Caucus Chair Dr. Sudarshani Fernanopulle urged the Ministry of Education to implement measures to train teachers nationwide on how to effectively and sensitively handle such cases when they arise, emphasising that the dignity of the child is paramount and must take precedence over the image of the schools.

"We, the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, condemn the inhumane series of gang-rape the 16 year old girl child of Thanamalwila has endured since 2023. Further the Victim's mother stated that the insensitivity of the Medical Officer who is reported to have verbally and emotionally harassed the victim also. This brutal violation of the affected girl shows how all responsible authorities of Sri Lanka, have failed in their duties. At the very least, in the aftermath of this profound injustice, let us act in a conscientious, responsible and accountable manner," the statement added.

The Caucus said the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health should prioritise promoting moral values, respect for others, and safeguarding schoolchildren from exposure to pornography, drugs, alcohol, and other addictions claiming that these measures are essential in reducing the risk of children engaging in harmful and abusive activities.

It also urged the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Justice to collectively ensure the Medical Officers and other officials involved in examining children who are harassed are trained and sensitized to handle them with compassion and care to avoid any further harassment faced by such children.