We Need to Rescue Child Sex Workers in Sri Lanka

A child would never want to be a sex worker, if he or she had an option. It is the most margnialized and vulnerable children who become trafficked  as sex workers. Child sex workers do not have any hope about their futures. They dont have a chance to enjoy childhood. Life for a child sex worker is full of suffering.  Addressing issues of child sex workers is extremely risky and life threatening. Yet the children who are working in the sex industry badly need a helping hand to overcome the worst form of exploitation they are currently experiencing.

Protecting Victims of Trafficking in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a destination and source for trafficking mainly women and children for involuntary servitude and commercial sexual exploitation (US Department of State: 2008) This article summerises the trafficking problems faced by Sri Lankans; prevention mechanisms, prosecution mechanisms and protection mechanisms adopted by the Sri Lankan Government to address trafficking issues; and effective recommendation to combat trafficking in Sri Lanka.

Rescuing Victims of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is one of the worst human rights violations in our time. This has become one of the major illegal businesses in today’s world. Humans are trafficked for variety of reasons, such as prostitution, forced labour. It is mostly the socially marginalized and poorest women and children who are at the risk of human trafficking.

Is Institutionalization of Street Children the Best Option?

In August 2009, the Government of Sri Lanka announced a program on rehabilitating street children by institutionalizing all the children of the streets. Recent study carried out by Save the Children on Children on the Move in Hambantota District clearly pointed out that children are against being institutionalized. They want to live with their family.

Protecting the Post-Tsunami Displaced Persons: Critical Analysis of the Sri Lankan Experience

The book on ‘Protecting the Post-Tsunami Displaced Persons: Critical Analysis of the Sri Lankan Experience’ written by me, will be published this month by Culcutta Research Group, India. It is an analysis of how and how not Sri Lanka has attempted to protect the victims of the Tsunami during the relief, rehabilitation and the reconciliation phases. The book is inclusive of an analysis of the human rights instruments, mechanisms established or mandated to protect IDPs; its applicability in the post-Tsunami context in Sri Lanka; and the human rights issues faced by the IDPs.

Policy Recommendation for the Government and the Civil Society to Protect Displaced Persons More Effectively and Efficiently

These recommendations were developed based on my field experience; knowledge gathered in participating at grassroots level, district level, national level and international level workshops, conferences and working groups; and the understanding obtained regarding the shortcomings of instruments and mechanisms adopted to protect post-Tsunami displaced when analyzing the information gathered for my MHR thesis. All the given recommendations are practical and could be adopted by the Policy Makers, Government Authorities and Civil Society in order to react efficiently and effectively in a future disaster situation.