Over 30,000 child beggars in Sri Lanka – Prof. Athukorala

Peradeniya University, Economics and Statistics Prof. Wasantha Athukorala expressed concern over the rising child beggars in the country and said a recent research has indicated that over 30,000 male and female child beggars are currently living countrywide.

Speaking to the Daily News Prof. Atukorala said this situation has become a serious problem and the Government should first collect data on child beggars and take suitable precautionary measures to eliminate this menace completely, unless these children will one day automatically get involved in robberies, crimes and other anti-social activities.

He said if responsible officials do not focus attention towards this matter, the number of child beggars in the country will increase to a greater extent in the coming years.

It is reported that child beggars could be mostly seen in major towns and religious places where they easily earn money from pilgrims and the money they earn are mostly spent on liquor and cigarettes.

Referring to the situation of increasing child beggars in the Kataragama sacred city area especially at devalaya and Kirivehera premises, and also at Sella Kataragama area, Prof. Atukorala said in Kataragama that a large number of male and female child beggars are engaged in begging from pilgrims with the knowledge of their parents.

The Chief Incumbent of Sella Kataragama Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Denagama Dhammaratana Thera said it is the sole duty of responsible officials in Police and Divisional Secretariat offices in the respective divisions to take measures to eliminate this situation.

SSP Renuka Jayasundara who is in-charge of Child and Women Affairs said the incident of children being engaged in begging from people, especially from pilgrims will be immediately investigated and take all possible measures to stop such happenings.

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