These children have been insecure for several years now, with top officials of the facility have prevented the abuse from being made public.

Called Senehasa Education Resource Research and Information Centre, it was formed by the then chairperson of the Authority Anoma Fonseka, during the war to look after mentally-handicapped children of memers of the armed forces.

Initially it had hundreds of children, but the figure has come down to around 30 now.

Anoma Fonseka had to leave the job after her husband Sarath Fonseka left his position as commander of the Army, after which all institutions under the Authority were run without proper supervision.

Now aged 10 to 12 years, children at ‘Senehasa’ have been sexually abused for the past few years.

It is now open to children, who do not hail from families of armed forces members.

Teachers at this children’s home have complained to Anoma Fonseka about soldiers attached to the facility always getting drunk and sexually abusing the inmates.

When contacted, Anoma Fonseka said she has come to understand the facility was no longer safe for children, about which she has informed the current Army commander, and that their mental condition would suffer due to being controlled by the military.

However, she denied having received complaints of any sexual abuse taking place there.