Tamil Women’s groups joined by representatives of Muslim women’s organisations, local government representatives and civil society activists from the North staged a protest in Mannar on Friday calling for justice for survivors of sexual abuse and protection for children and women.
The demonstration was organised in response to the growing number of cases of sexual violence and abuse committed against children and women by individuals in positions of authority, including religious leaders.
Protesters gathered outside the Mannar District Secretariat before marching through the town’s main bazaar area and returning to the Secretariat. Participants carried placards demanding an end to sexual violence against children and women, justice and protection for survivors, and impartial legal action against perpetrators regardless of their status or influence.
The demonstrators also called for stronger protective measures for women and children and urged authorities to ensure that the legal and judicial systems operate fairly and transparently.
At the conclusion of the march, organisers publicly read a petition addressed to state authorities outlining their demands.
Speaking during the protest, representatives expressed concerns over child abuse cases involving members of the Sinhala Buddhist clergy. Citing figures reportedly recorded by Sri Lanka’s child protection authorities, they stated that approximately 488 children had been identified as victims in cases involving Buddhist monks between 2018 and 2022.
Speakers further argued that the true scale of abuse may be higher, particularly among children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who may face barriers in reporting crimes or accessing justice.
Participants stressed the need for accountability and urged authorities to prioritise the rights and protection of survivors over the status or influence of alleged perpetrators.
The protest was organised by the Mannar Maathar Apiviruthi Ondriyam (Mannar women's development association) with the support of the Puttalam District Muslim Women's Development Trust. It follows a series of similar demonstrations organised across the North-East in recent days by the North-East Women's Collective.
A similar protest was also held in Jaffna on Friday, where children, members of women's organisations, activists and political representatives gathered outside the Jaffna Central Bus Stand to condemn violence against children and call for greater accountability and protection for survivors.
