Court orders TRO to take over Children's Shelter

[TamilNet, Friday, 22 October 2004, 10:51 GMT]
Mr. M Ganesharajah, Trincomalee Magistrate Friday ordered that the administration of a leading Children's Home "Anbu Illam" which is located along the Central Road in the east port town to the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) taking into consideration the application made on behalf by the North East Provincial Commissioner of Probation and Child Care following criminal action filed against the former director of the institution for alleged sexual abuse of children, legal sources said.

Attorney at-Law Mr. A.M.Anifulebbe on behalf of the Provincial Department of Probation and Child Care submitted to court that the Provincial Commissioner has recommended TRO to take over the administration and maintenance of the Shelter after considering two applications.

He said one application was from Trincomalee District Young Men Hindu Association (TDYMHA) and the other from TRO. Provincial Commissioner has selected TRO to run the Home as it is currently administering sixteen Children Homes in the northeast province and also it has gained considerable experience in running such institutions, legal sources said.

The court should consider the application of the provincial authorities favourably as the Provincial Commissioner has recommended the TRO be allowed to run the institution for a period of three months initially and the future course of action could be decided thereafter, Mr.Anifulebbe told court, legal sources said.

Magistrate Mr.Ganesharajah inquired from the Police Sergeant Mr.Samarasingha and Attorney-at-Laws appearing on behalf of the former director Mr.S.Sutheralingam who was brought to court from remand, legal sources.

As no one objected to the application the Magistrate made order that the TRO should run the institution for three months according to the recommendation of the Provincial Commissioner of Probation and Child Care, legal sources said.

TRO Trincomalee district acting Director Mr.C.Kumarakuruparan and several members of the Board of Directors selected by the TRO to run the institution were also present in court when the Magistrate made the order.

Attorney-at-Law Mr.K.Sivapalan watched the interest of TRO, legal sources said.