• Public servants working with kids must be cleared of child-related offences 

The Government is set to introduce a certification process to ensure that individuals recruited to the public service, particularly those appointed to positions involving direct contact with children, have not been accused of or involved in offences against children.

Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj said the Ministry has taken steps to submit a Cabinet paper on the proposed certification process.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, Minister Paulraj said that under the proposed system, individuals would be required to obtain a certificate from the Police or other relevant authorities before being recruited to public service positions involving access to children.

The requirement would also apply to public officers already serving in positions involving direct contact with children.

Accordingly, serving officers would be required to renew the certificate at specified service milestones and when receiving salary increments, confirming that they had not been involved in child-related offences during the relevant period.

Minister Paulraj said the measure was being introduced to ensure that individuals working closely with children were not persons who had been accused of or involved in offences against children.

The proposed certification process is intended to strengthen safeguards for children by ensuring that those recruited or continuing to serve in positions giving them direct access to children are subject to appropriate checks.