Sri Lanka recorded over 108,000 child abuse complaints in a decade
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka recorded 108,581 child abuse complaints between 2015 and 2025, while more than 4,400 related cases remain pending before the High Courts, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj told Parliament on Thursday (23).
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27/2, the minister said 4,421 child abuse cases with indictments already filed were pending before the High Courts as of April 30, 2026.
She said the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) is working with the Police Children and Women Abuse Prevention Division and its 47 Child and Women Protection Bureaus to expedite the hearing and disposal of the cases.
As part of efforts to reduce trauma experienced by child victims during judicial proceedings, Paulraj said the government is taking steps to facilitate the recording of children’s testimony through video evidence in child-friendly environments, eliminating the need for victims to appear in court.
The recordings would subsequently be admitted as evidence during court proceedings, she said.
The minister added that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and other relevant agencies to establish nine provincial video evidence recording units to support the initiative.
Separately, the NCPA said it received 5,523 complaints involving children during the first six months of 2026.
According to the authority, the complaints received between Jan. 1 and June 30 included 1,100 cases of child cruelty, 60 cases of aggravated sexual abuse, 213 complaints of sexual harassment, 99 cases of child abduction, 100 complaints relating to the commercial sexual exploitation of children, 82 cases of child labour, 40 cases of teenage pregnancy, five child marriages, 112 incidents of cyber violence against children and 13 cases involving attempted suicide by children.
The NCPA said the figures underscore the continuing need to strengthen child protection mechanisms, improve support services for victims and ensure the timely investigation and prosecution of offenders.
-ENCL
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