SOCIAL SITUATION OF WOMEN, CHILDREN UNSATISFACTORY

UNP MP Rosy criticises inaction of govt. for deteriorating situation

There are around 40,000 prostitutes in Sri Lanka according to reports compiled by the UNICEF and the International Organisation of Migrants(IOM), UNP MP Rosy Senanayake said in Parliament yesterday.

Ms. Senanayake who opened the committee stage debate of the Child and Women’s Affairs Ministry, said that though Sri Lanka boasts of achieving high indicators in literacy and life expectancy, the social situation of children and women was far from satisfactory.

She said the first nine months of this year saw as many as 4,414 cases of crimes being com- mitted against children.

“There are increased cases of underage pregnancies and these are issues which should be looked into,” she said.

UNP MP Ms. Thalatha Atukorale said the government should pay more attention to the safety of children and women. Referring to the killing spree of women at Kahawatte in Ratnapura, she said that a member of the Godakawela Pradeshiya Sabha is now in remand

There are increased cases of underage pregnancies and these are issues which should be looked into

prison in connection with these incidents..

“However, this member enjoys political patronage. Pradeshiya Sabha continuously approves him leave. Crimes against women and children should be unbailable offences,” she said.