EBLS: Ragama, Sri Lanka

RAGAMA, SRI LANKA

Ragama is situated about 10 km to the north of the capital city Colombo in Sri Lanka. It is the urban hub of Gampaha District the second most populous district in the country with a population of 2.3 million. The medical school in Ragama established in 1991 is part of the University of Kelaniya which has its origins in the historic Vidyalankara Pirivena, founded in 1875 as a centre of learning for Buddhist monks. In Sri Lanka, there has been an increase in reported cases of violence against children over the past couple of decades, reflecting greater awareness and may be a real increase in incidence. Data from the Women’s and Children’s Bureau, of the Sri Lanka Police reveals that child sexual abuse is the most common form of violence against children in the country. Sri Lanka was a signatory of the 1991 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The government of Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, there has been an increase in reported cases of violence against children over the past couple of decades, reflecting greater awareness and may be a real increase in incidence. Data from the Women’s and Children’s Bureau, of the Sri Lanka Police reveals that child sexual abuse is the most common form of violence against children in the country. Sri Lanka was a signatory of the 1991 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The government of Sri Lanka recognises the importance of child protection established the National Child Protection Authority in 1998. Currently, a National Child Protection Policy is being developed through an extensive consultation processes. It will provide a comprehensive framework for evidence-based prevention and intervention. Sri Lanka is also a pathfinder in the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children and thus the government is committed to increasing its efforts to eradicate violence against children. The research team in Ragama will be led by Prof.

The research team in Ragama will be led by Prof. Asvini D Fernando at the Department of Paediatrics of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Prof. Fernando is a Paediatrician who has special clinical and research interest in the field of child maltreatment and childhood disabilities. She is also Chairperson of the Child Protection Committee of Sri Lanka College of Pediatricians and has been in involved in developing the 2014 National Guideline for Management of Child Abuse and Neglect. The team also includes Prof. A Pathmeswaran, Senior Professor in the Department of Public Health and Prof Anuruddhi Edirisnghe, Professor of Forensic Medicine. Prof. Pathmeswaran is an expert in quantitative research methodologies and has been involved in collaborative research projects on various topics including tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases, and substance abuse. Prof. Edirisnghe is also part of the research time and has a special interest in child protection and gender issues. She has served on several national level committees dealing with child protection and gender issues.

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