It is a profession that provides easy access to children and rarely comes under suspicion. Pedophiles can easily enter this field therefore it is important to enforce a screening process. Unfortunately our country does not have a computerised criminal rec

masters, principals, hostel wardens and staff of child care institutions and orphanages.

“It is a profession that provides easy access to children and rarely comes under suspicion. Pedophiles can easily enter this field therefore it is important to enforce a screening process. Unfortunately our country does not have a computerised criminal record and any periodical observation and random interviews with students,” he said.

He said during his tenure as NCPA head there was an incident where a volleyball coach of a boy’s school in Matara molested all members of the under- 14 team.

Similarly, there was a case of molestation and children being sexually exploited for commercial purposes, by a music teacher and his partner in a leading school in Galle.

“One suspect died and the other was released after a 10- year prison term,” he added.

He said the most unfortunate fallout of such incidents was that school authorities try to conceal such criminals and dismiss the child instead of the teacher.

“Sometimes the teacher is transferred. I even got reports where past pupils insisted school authorities to cover up such incidents. It is a crime punishable under the Penal Code and should be reported to police and legal action,” he said. Prof. de Silva said even amendments to the Penal Code states that priority should be given to child abuse cases.

He said sex education programmes in schools have been a failure as teachers refuse to use such handbooks.

“There should be separate programmes for primary, middle and upper classes. Some younger children are unaware they are being molested,” the former NCPA Chairman said.

Sociologist and another exchairman of NCPA, Jagath Wellawatte said Sri Lanka had laws but much had to be done in implementing them as well as in creating awareness among the people.

“Even in some instances, police consider a case related to child rape, as one that can be settled easily. But a crime against a child is similar to a murder that can haunt the child throughout his or her life,” he said.

He said a teacher’s job should not merely be a post offered by politicians or a remedy to reduce the number of unemployed graduates or fill vacancies in rural areas.