Adoption a better option to abandoning a child

The Probation and Childcare Department today appealed to mothers who
abandon their children due to economic and social reasons to hand over their
children to the department for adoption and to refrain from taking their
children’s lives or abandoning them as has been a trend in the recent
past.

Probation Officer Nirmali Perera said in Sri Lanka adoption had a
stigma attached to it and people often chose to hide it from society.

She
said people should have a positive view about adoption procedures as it was the
best alternative to give a home and a future for the little child.

Ms.
Perera said an infant or young child less than 14 years of age whom the parents
want to abandon because they were unable to support the child can hand them over
to the Provincial Commissioner of the Probation and Childcare Department in
their respective provinces.

If infants are found abandoned in a state
hospital the hospital will hand over the child to the Provincial Commissioner in
the area. The Provincial Commissioner will put the child in the waiting list for
adoption. “The parent can meet the Provincial Commissioner and hand over the
child. They may have to show evidence to prove that they cannot support the
child. However if the parent refuses to support the child then we will undertake
the responsibility to ensure the child is protected,” Ms. Perera said. “There
have been several incidents in the recent past where parents have allegedly
abandoned their children or killed them. Instead of doing so, we ask them to
hand over their children to us. The department will provide them a
home.”

Ms. Perera said parents took such drastic decision because of
poverty, disputes between the parents or because of unmarried girls who feel
they cannot support a child. “People choose to take very drastic measures when
they are in desperate situations of this nature as they are unaware of the
alternatives available for their children,” she said.

In Sri Lanka
children below 14 years can be adopted by sending a written request to the
Probation and Childcare Department’s Provincial Commissioner requesting for a
child to be adopted. Subsequently the applicant’s suitability will be
investigated and evaluated. If they fulfil the criteria they will be able to
register with the Provincial Commissioner for the adoption of a child.
(Olindhi Jayasundere)