Legal Services

The National Child Protection Authority is established under the provisions of The National Child Protection Authority Act No. 50 of 1998.

The Tsunami (Special Provisions) Act No.16 of 2006 and the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No.34 of 2005 provide special recognition to the NCPA in its operation.

NCPA promotes the Best interest of the child provisions in the ICCPR Act No. 56 of 2007 for ensuring protection for children.

Services

Interventions of the Legal unit can be categorized as preventive and responsive mechanisms for Child Protection

Advice government on the measures for the prevention of child abuse

Advice the government on the measures for the protection of the victims of such abuse

Recommend legal, administrative, or other amendments required for the effective implementation of the National Policy for the prevention of child abuse

Facilitation, monitoring, and coordination of Charters, Policies, Laws, Regulations, and Circulars relating to the Child Protection.
Create Advocacy and lobbying on issues of Child Protection.

Facilitation for responding to the concluding observation and recommendations on international obligations of the Government of Sri Lanka pertaining to the protection of children

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and 2 optional protocols.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).
The European Union’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).

Facilitation for the module for school curricula on Law and child

Provide legal advice and support relating to the issues of Child Protection - for children of child abuse, child victims of Tsunami, domestic violence, and child labor

Handling complaints on Child abuse incidents on the contravention of any of the provisions of:

Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act.
Children and Young Persons Ordinance.
The regulation relating to compulsory education made under the Education Ordinance.

Represent NCPA in legal matters

Represent NCPA in legal matters:

Courts of law - Magistrate Court & District Court
Commissions - Human Rights Commission, Right to Information Commission, Press Commission
Labour Tribunals
Conduct trials on criminal cases of Special Police Investigation Unit of NCPA
Preparation of Legal Documents for NCPA
Memorandum of Understandings / Agreements/ Letter of demand

Monitor the Criminal Proceedings of Child Abuse

Monitor the legality of media reporting on children

Awareness-raising through the dissemination of knowledge and skills on Child Rights and Child-related legislations, regulations and circulars, etc. by being resource persons to