Trinco children home administrator sentenced to jail for child abuse

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 October 2005, 07:09 GMT]
Trincomalee Additional Magistrate Mr.M.Ganesharajah Friday sentenced the former administrator of the Trincomalee 'Anbu Illam', a leading children home in the eastern port town to two years rigorous imprisonment when he was found guilty for child abuse. When the case was taken up for delivering order, the prosecution informed court that the accused has gone into hiding. The Magistrate, however, delivered the order in absentia and issued open warrant to arrest the accused, legal sources said.

This is one of the child abuse cases filed against Mr.Sangarapillai Suntheralingam, founder and administrator of the 'Anbu Illam' children home established in 1985.

He was removed from the post of administrator following his misconduct. Later on report of the Provincial Department of Child Care, the Trincomalee magistrate handed over the administration of the home to the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO).

'Anbu Illam' gives shelter to children who lost their parents in the war.

"The institution was administered by the accused since its formation without being registered as an approved home under the Department of Child Care Services. Several of those children who sought asylum are reported to have been abused by the accused. In the particular case I find the accused guilty for the offence due to corroborative evidence of another girl in support of the victim's," said the Additional Magistrate in his order.

Attorney-at-Law Mr.J.M.Lahir watched the interests of the victim girl, legal sources said.

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