Sri Lanka plans severe punishment for child abuse

Colombo, July 9 (IANS) With increasing cases of child abuse in Sri Lanka, the government plans to impose tough punishments on the offenders, an official said Monday.

Discussions are underway with the Ministry of Justice and other law enforcement officials to introduce severe punishments on culprits, said Asoka Alawatta, acting Secretary of the Child Development and Women's Affairs Ministry.

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has demanded introduction of capital punishment on those convicted of child abuse, reported Xinhua.

NCPA chairperson Anoma Dissanayake suggested that the only way to control the current trend of child abuse is to impose stringent punishment.

The NCPA has received more than 20,000 complaints of child abuse so far in 2012.

Cabinet spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella said the government is considering changing laws relating to child abuses.

"Punishment has to be introduced at least to create fear psychosis among the perpetrators."