PM urges stronger safeguards for children
– Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said ensuring children’s emotional security, mental well-being and self-confidence has become increasingly important due to the social and technological challenges facing childhood, stressing that the Government has made child protection a priority.Speaking at the National Children’s Day celebration held at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura today (Oct. 1), under the theme “Mentally Strong, Children Empowered,” the Prime Minister said the Government was taking steps to strengthen legal and protective frameworks to ensure children could benefit from digital technology and artificial intelligence while being protected from cyberbullying, harmful content and other online pressures.
She said reforms were also being introduced to prevent physical punishment and psychological abuse of children and promote disciplinary practices that respect their dignity.Amarasuriya said measures had also been taken under the Women, Young Persons and Children’s Employment Act to increase the fine for employing children in hazardous work from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000, as part of efforts to prevent their economic exploitation.She further said the Government was working to bring preschool education under a single national standard, introduce registration and regulatory provisions for preschools, and make professional qualifications and training mandatory for preschool teachers.
The Prime Minister stressed that during the preschool years, greater emphasis should be placed on developing children’s social skills and personalities through sports rather than forcing them to focus primarily on writing letters and numbers.
“Every child has the right to live safely and with self-confidence, irrespective of language, religion or geographical differences,” she said, adding that ensuring this right was a shared responsibility of the Government, parents, teachers and society.Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj urged adults to act as role models for children rather than merely advising them.She called on parents to pay greater attention to their children, listen to them and ensure their safety even within their homes, while urging teachers to go beyond academic education and prepare children for life.She also stressed the importance of teaching children that employment is not merely a means of earning an income but also carries responsibilities.Paulraj said breaking the cycle of violence and abuse in society would require greater awareness, concern and collective responsibility.
Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Dr. Namal Sudarshana, MP Aruna Panagoda, Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Kasun Ratnayake, Ministry Secretary Tharangani Wickramasinghe, ambassadors, foreign representatives, government officials, teachers and children attended the event.