An increase in number of applications for adoption

An increase in number of applications for adoption

Friday, 26 March 2010 00:11

By Lakna Paranamanna

The number of applications for the adoption of Sri Lankan children has increased in recent times, Probation and Childcare Department (PCD) Commissioner said yesterday.

“Each year we receive more than 5,000 applications for adoption but these keep increasing,” PCD Commissioner D.M.S. Abeyagunawardene said and added that the availability of children suitable for adoption was much fewer than the demand. The Adoption of Children Ordinance states it is compulsory to obtain the consent of the child’s biological parents for an adoption to be valid.

“Most children who are available for adoption have at least one parent but in 80 per cent of the cases the parent or parents do not give their consent for adoption,” Mr. Abeyagunawardene said.

He said a couple or an individual who expected to adopt a child should apply to the district court through a lawyer or register with the PCD and await an allocation.

Once an application is received, a probation officer visits the residence of the applicant to check for suitability and at that time documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, personal history, criminal records and employment and health records are scrutinized.

Mr. Abayagunewardena said only about 90 local adoptions are processed each year. He said most of the locals wished to adopt infants below one year with the second highest demand being for children who were below five years.

The Commissioner said of some 600 international adoption applications only about 45 was processed each year.