Child Abuse Bill aims to protect all children, not target teachers: PM
– The Child Abuse Bill is not a law amended to target schools or teachers, but a broader amendment aimed at ensuring the safety and protection of all children in society, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.
She made these remarks yesterday (27) during a program held at the Ministry to sensitize national school principals on the new legal provisions.“This is not just a school issue. It is about physical and mental punishment given to children. The amendment is meant to safeguard not only schoolchildren but also children in police custody, institutionalized children, abandoned children and all children in society who are often subjected to violence by adults or responsible individuals,” the Prime Minister explained.
Dr. Amarasuriya said that the amendment does not prohibit discipline but rejects physical and mental torture as a means of enforcing it. “If we as a society think that the only way to discipline children is by breaking them physically or mentally, then we have a lot to discuss. There are many constructive ways to correct children without embarrassing, torturing or pressuring them,” she said, adding that workshops will be held to promote positive disciplinary methods.She also drew attention to the wider social context, noting the rise of domestic violence and the normalization of violence as a way of resolving conflicts.
“We live in a country where domestic violence has increased to unimaginable levels. Even bullying, once considered mild in our time, has become unbearable for children today. Violence has seeped into homes, institutions, hostels and even religious places. This is extremely dangerous, and if we accept violence as the main tool to resolve conflicts, it raises serious questions about our society’s values,” she warned.
Highlighting the urgent need for change, the Prime Minister said, “This amendment is about taking society to a more advanced and civilised place where children are protected and discipline is maintained through positive methods, not violence.”
