• Child Affairs Ministry gathering data on affected children  

Unless a special law is introduced - similar to the one enacted following the 2004 tsunami for children who lost both their parents or their guardian — children orphaned by the recent floods and landslides that followed Cyclone Ditwah will be placed under the Probation and Child Care Services Department, in accordance with the existing legal provisions in the country. This was noted by the Director (Planning) of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), Shanika Malalgoda.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (08), Malalgoda said that following the 26 December 2004 tsunami, special provisions had been introduced through the Tsunami (Special Provisions) Act, No. 16 of 2005, to grant protection to those adversely affected, including the large number who suffered loss of life and property. She noted these legal provisions placed children left orphaned or without a guardian under the care of the NCPA until the age of 21. However, unless a similar Act is introduced, she said, the Judiciary would be required to place such children under the guardianship of the said Department.

Malalgoda added that the Women and Child Affairs Ministry had been tasked with collecting data on the number of children affected by the cyclone and the subsequent floods and landslides.

All attempts to contact the subject Minister and Deputy Minister with regard to the gathering of data proved futile.