The Government is set to introduce a certification process to ensure that individuals recruited to the public service, particularly those appointed to positions involving direct contact with children, have not been accused of or involved in offences against children.
Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj said the Ministry has taken steps to submit a Cabinet paper on the proposed certification process.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, the Minister said individuals seeking public service positions involving access to children would be required to obtain a certificate from the Police or another relevant authority.
The proposed requirement would also apply to public officers already serving in positions involving direct contact with children.
Accordingly, serving officers would be required to renew the certificate at specified service milestones and when receiving salary increments, confirming that they had not been involved in child-related offences during the relevant period.
Minister Paulraj said the measure aims to ensure that individuals working closely with children are not persons who have been accused of or involved in offences against children.
