“Justice for Children” – National Seminar – 2022
The Faculty of Criminal Justice (FOCJ), the newest faculty of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University organized its first national level event themed “Justice for Children” the National Seminar on 28th of October 2022.
The seminar consisted of two events: awarding the prizes and certificates to the winners of the Art, Poetry and Essay competition and guest speech series targeting the undergraduate police officers of the faculty. The objective of the first event was to reflect the issues faced by the children in society today. The prizes and certificates were awarded to the winners among the school children who have participated to the competition in all the three mediums.
Further the guest speech series was intended to emphasize the role of Criminal Justice professionals in protecting the rights of children while contributing towards a society where there is respect for “Rule of Law”. Through this event it was targets to enhance the knowledge of undergraduates in relation to “Children and Criminal Justice” through the guest speeches which were directly linked with the course syllabus of the degree programmes of BSc in Police Science and BSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Honourable Minister of Education Dr Susil Premajayantha grace the occasion as the chief guest. Vice Chancellor of KDU Major General Milinda Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Dean of the Faculty of Criminal Justice Professor Jeeva Niriella, Deputy Chairman of University Grant Commission, Senior Academics, Senior Officers from Tri Forces and Police Department of Sri Lanka, Deans of the Faculties and Directors of Centres of KDU and the academic and non-academic staff of the FOCJ participated to graced this occasion. The undergraduate police officers of FOCJ actively participated in the events.
Honourable Minister emphasized that “our education system had work in close collaboration with the institutions of criminal justice to protect our children especially from the drug menace which is increasingly spread among the schools.
Dr Charika Marasinghe, the Keynote Speaker delivered a speech on “Justice for Children; Interdisciplinary Insights when Law meets Science”.
An expert panel of guest speakers focused on five aspects under the main theme of “Children and Criminal Justice in Sri Lanka” in the seminar. Deputy Inspector general of Police Mr Sajeewa Madawatta delivered a speech on “Child Rights in Sri Lanka; Law Enforcement Perspective” and Mr P.B.W Sameera, Commissioner of Probation and Child care Service discussed on the topic “ Issues and Challenges in Probation and Care Services. Professor Muditha Vidanapathirana, Former Chairman of National Child Protection Authority delivered a fruitful speech on “Role of national Child Protection Authority”. The final speech delivered by His Lordship Justice Sampath Abeykoon, Justice of Court of Appeal in relation to “Juvenile justice and Judicial System in Sri Lanka”.
