4. Launch programmes with the assistance of the Legal Aid Commission to address legal issues faced by detainees 3.3 Inspection of  Children’s Homes A team of the Commission inspected a probation home of Meegahakotuwa, Kuliyapitiya on 18.12.2013, and the following proposals dated 12.12.2013 were submitted to the Commissioner Probations, Kurunegala. Since 65 child inmates are kept in the home which was designed to keep only 45 children, the Department of Probation should increase the allocation of funds; also since there was no information available on fund allocation for clothing, attention should be focused on that issue. Basic facilities provided to inmates should include, a changing room, a study room, a library and computer facilities Even though there was a favourable condition in directing children for school education, it is equally important to pay attention on those who do not attend schools. Counselling facilities should be provided to resolve issues faced by inmates and programmes should be implemented to provide better understanding to the staff on child rights and safety of children. The Department should pay more attention on child inmates above age of 18. It would be appropriate to focus special attention to the fact of the increase in the number of child abuses reported during the inspection, from choir mills and coconut estates in the NorthWestern Province. 29

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