Around 46,000 children who have been subjected to abuse and exploitation are still awaiting justice, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said, calling on the government to expedite legal proceedings relating to child abuse cases.
The remarks were made during a discussion on child protection issues held at the Opposition Leader's Office.
Delays in investigating and prosecuting complaints, Premadasa said, had denied many victims justice during their childhood, and he urged authorities to take immediate steps to ensure timely legal redress.
The National Child Protection Policy came under particular criticism from the Opposition Leader.
Launched in 2019 with the intention of being implemented by 2025, the policy has since been postponed until 2029, a decision Premadasa described as an injustice to children.
Support from the SJB would be extended to any initiative aimed at strengthening child protection, Premadasa said, including the immediate implementation of the policy this year.
He noted that around 4,000 child abuse cases are currently pending before courts and called for measures to expedite hearings.
A Presidential Task Force to fast track investigations and ensure justice for all complainants was proposed by Premadasa, who stressed that child protection should not be politicised.
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