Sri Lanka Plans Mandatory Screening for Public Officers Working with Children
September 15, Colombo (LNW): The Government is preparing to introduce a formal background-screening system for public sector employees whose duties involve regular access to children, in a move aimed at strengthening safeguards within state institutions.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj said the proposed scheme would require prospective recruits to obtain an official certificate confirming that they have no record of allegations relating to offences against children.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Government Information Department, the Minister said the necessary steps were being taken to present the proposal to Cabinet for approval.
Under the proposed system, applicants seeking public sector positions that give them direct access to children would have to obtain the required clearance from the Police or another authorised institution before being appointed.
The requirement would not be limited to new recruits. Officers already working in child-related positions would also be expected to renew their certification at designated points during their careers, including when they become eligible for salary increments.
The renewed certification would serve as a periodic declaration that the officer had not been implicated in child-related offences during the period under review.
Minister Paulraj said the initiative was intended to close potential gaps in the screening of personnel working with children and provide greater assurance to parents and the wider public.
The proposed mechanism is expected to place greater emphasis on prevention by ensuring that people entrusted with the care, education or welfare of children undergo appropriate checks before taking up, and while continuing in, positions that provide them with close access to minors.
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