Sri Lanka's Minister of Child Development and Women's Affairs Tissa Karalliyedda said individuals found guilty of raping children should be awarded the death penalty.
This comes amid calls by activists for stricter punishments of rapists, in the wake of several reports in the recent past of politicians caught in the act.
He said he was holding discussions with the Attorney General Palitha Fernando for the introduction of tougher laws for those guilty of rape, according to a report in 'Sri Lanka Mirror'.
Most often a child rape victim is reluctant to go to court as the case drags on for several years. He also urged media to take caution and be judicious in reporting about rape incidents.
Sri Lanka saw several rape cases, with incidents of ruling party politicians being involved in some. Women and children's activists had called for death penalty for the accused.
A 13-year-old girl was repeatedly raped at an inn in the southern beach town of Tangalle in Hambantota district by a ruling party member of Tangalle Urban Council in July last year.
Another ruling party member of the Akuressa Town Council in Matara district, Southern Province was jailed over allegations that he raped a 14-year-old girl, in a separate incident.
Child molestations have been alarmingly on the increase in Sri Lanka, despite tough laws in existence.
Child rights activists point out that the strict punishments are not imposed especially, when politicians are involved in such crimes.
Source: Emirates 247, January 8, 2013
