A 04-point proposal for the establishment of a multi-sectoral mechanism to enable swift action in instances where complaints on child abuse incidents are not filed with the National Child Protection Authority has received a Cabinet nod.
The protection of children from abuse and all forms of violence, which was identified as a prime principle under the National Policy Framework, as “A Safe World for Children – A Creative Future Generation”, was approved at the Cabinet meeting held in March 2025.
Pointing out that several parties are involved in various ways in the protection of children within the government mechanism, the government states the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, and the Sri Lanka Police play a prime role in this respect.
The government further said that even though the National Child Protection Authority provides the facilities to lodge complaints 24 hours, it seems that there are so many occasions where such complaints are not received.
As such, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs to take the following steps, enabling swift involvement in such occasions.
- Appointment of a Standing National Committee under the chairmanship of the Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and comprising representatives of other relevant institutions.
- Introduction of amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Code, enabling the elimination of physical penalties against children
- In reporting all forms of violence and abuse that occur to children, the declaration of the media ethics system currently being drafted includes all appropriate provisions to prevent such victims from experiencing frequent occurrences of harassment.
- Obtaining swift intervention from the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses, the Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organisations and the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulation Commission to regulate the activities performed by the media institutions and social media communicators in such a way that damages the identity of child victims. (Newswire)