President Anura Kumara Dissanayake hinted at the possibility of reconsidering the recent amendment to the Penal Code, which seeks to ban corporal punishment against children.

The president made these remarks during the National Teachers’ Summit.

“Laws are made for the citizens. Laws that are not agreeable with the public will not be passed in Parliament,” President Dissanayake said, acknowledging that recent amendments to certain laws had created controversy.

The government is facing growing pressure from several quarters over the amendment, while the Human Rights Commission has backed the amendment, stating that there has been an increase in reports of child rights violations. (Newswire)

The post Corporal Punishment : President signals possible withdrawal of amendment appeared first on Newswire.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has raised concerns over an increase in reports of child rights violations, particularly cases involving corporal punishment.

In a statement issued on Wednesday (15), the Commission said such practices cause not only physical injury but also lasting emotional harm, which in some cases has led to trauma and even suicide.

Referring to the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill gazetted on 4 July 2025, the HRCSL said the proposed legislation seeks to prohibit all forms of cruel, degrading and harmful punishments—both physical and non-physical—against anyone under 18 years of age.

The Commission noted that Sri Lanka’s existing laws already provide a strong foundation for protecting children through the Penal Code, the Children and Young Persons Ordinance, and Article 11 of the Constitution, which guarantees protection from torture or degrading treatment.

HRCSL Chairperson Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya stressed that abolishing corporal punishment must be viewed as part of a collective effort to promote positive, respectful discipline that builds children’s dignity and confidence rather than fear or violence.

The Commission also urged the public to engage in informed discussions about the reforms without misrepresentation or politicisation, warning that such actions could weaken efforts to protect children.

Justice Dehideniya added that protecting children from harm is both a legal and moral responsibility shared by families, educators, policymakers, and society at large. (Newswire)

The post HRCSL backs new legal reforms to ban corporal punishment of children appeared first on Newswire.

The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, says certain laws from the Western world are entirely incompatible with Sri Lanka when implementing the proposed legislation concerning the punishment of children.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith made these remarks while attending the Divine Jubilee Mass organized by alumni and staff of St. John’s Baptist College, Nugegoda, in celebration of its 150th anniversary.

The Archbishop emphasized that children should be guided onto the correct path through discipline, and that not all laws from the Western world should be adopted into Sri Lanka’s education system.

“This creates a rift between children and parents. If parents are restricted like this, what about teachers? Teachers can’t even think freely. If a student misbehaves, a teacher might say, ‘Don’t grow your hair that long, cut it before coming to school.’ But if the teacher says that, the child could go to the police and claim the teacher caused psychological distress. They could even arrest the teacher. That’s wrong. We cannot accept this,” he said. 

Pointing out that what works well in Western countries doesn’t necessarily suit Sri Lanka, the Archbishop said, “We have our own culture, systems, and values that deserve respect.

He further urged education authorities not to go down that path, appealing not to obstruct the tendency to instill respect, love, and devotion in children toward their parents and teachers. (Newswire)

The post “What works in Western countries doesn’t suit Sri Lanka” – Cardinal appeared first on Newswire.

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) says corporal punishment causes significant harm to children’s health and development, revealing that globally, an estimated 1.2 billion children aged 0–18 years are subjected to physical punishment in their homes every year. 

Stating that corporal punishment remains alarmingly widespread, the report states data across 58 countries show that 17% of children who experienced corporal punishment in the past month were subjected to its most severe forms – including being hit on the head, face, or ears, or being hit hard and repeatedly.

The use of corporal punishment in homes varies widely across countries. Among children aged 2–14 years, parent and caregiver self-reported rates of corporal punishment in the past month ranged from 30% in Kazakhstan and 32% in Ukraine, to 63% in Serbia, 64% in Sierra Leone, and 77% in Togo.

In schools, the practice is equally widespread. Across Africa and Central America, around 70% of children experience corporal punishment during their school years, compared with about 25% in the Western Pacific region.

“There is now overwhelming scientific evidence that corporal punishment carries multiple risks to the health of children,” said Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department for Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention. “It offers no benefits to the behaviour, development or well-being of children and no benefit to parents or societies either. It’s time to end this harmful practice to ensure that children thrive at home and at school.”   

The report entitled Corporal punishment of children: the public health impact, highlights that children most at risk of experiencing corporal punishment are those with a disability; those whose parents experienced corporal punishment themselves; and those whose parents struggle with substance use, depression or other mental health conditions. Broader societal factors such as poverty, racism and discrimination further increase the risk of corporal punishment of children.

The health consequences of child corporal punishment are profound and far-reaching. Beyond immediate injuries, the practice triggers harmful biological responses, including heightened stress hormone reactivity and changes in brain structure and function that can undermine healthy development. 

Analysis across 49 low- and middle-income countries shows that children exposed to corporal punishment are, on average, 24% less likely to be developmentally on track compared to peers who are not exposed.  The mental health toll is equally severe. Children subjected to corporal punishment face increased risks of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and emotional instability. These effects frequently persist into adulthood, manifesting as higher rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse and even contemplated, attempted or completed suicide.

Corporal punishment carries wider societal consequences as well. Children who experience it are more likely to develop aggressive behaviors, struggle academically, and, as adults, engage in violent, antisocial, or criminal conduct. The practice also fuels a broader social acceptance of violence, reinforcing harmful cycles across generations.

Although many countries have banned corporal punishment, its continued use – and the persistent belief that it is necessary – demonstrates that legislation alone is not enough. WHO stresses that legal measures must be paired with public awareness campaigns and direct support for parents, caregivers, and teachers to promote positive, non-violent forms of discipline. Corporal punishment of children: the public health impact provides additional arguments for expanding the spectrum of interventions that should be considered to eliminate this form of violence against children. (Newswire)

The post New WHO report says corporal punishment harms children’s health appeared first on Newswire.

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has initiated legal action against a tuition teacher accused of assaulting students.

According to the NCPA, the tuition teacher had failed to comply with a summons issued related to a video widely circulated on social media about the incident. 

The video shows the tuition teacher using corporal punishment on his students, as well as instructing a female student to hit a male student with a cane.

When inquired in this regard from Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, he said the National Child Protection Authority has initiated action against the tuition teacher. (Newswire)

The post Action against Tuition teacher after viral classroom assault videos appeared first on Newswire.

A law banning corporal punishment for children will be passed swiftly, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms Harsha Nanayakkara said in Parliament.

“Punishment has a significant impact on a child’s development. If children believe violence can solve problems, they will carry that belief into adulthood. Many involved in organized crime come from broken families,” the Minister said. “It’s easier to fix a broken child, but not a broken adult,” he added.

He also stressed on the importance of women’s contributions to society, stating that a single day of debate is insufficient to recognize their role. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka to fast-track ban on corporal punishment for children appeared first on Newswire.

The Government of Sri Lanka has taken measures to prohibit corporal punishment in all spheres.

Taking to ‘X’, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that the Cabinet has approved amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code to prohibit corporal punishment in all spheres.

Pointing out that UNCRC Article 19 urges protection against all forms of violence towards children, he said the Committee on the Rights of the Child, in General Comment No. 8, stresses that corporal punishment must be prohibited in all settings.

President Wickremesinghe further said that the Cabinet approval paves the way for legal protections to ensure that no child in Sri Lanka suffers physical or mental violence, aligning with the government’s commitment to safeguard the rights and well-being of every child.

The President added that the measures have been taken in view of the ‘International Day to End Corporal Punishment’, which is commemorated on April 30. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka to prohibit Corporal Punishment in all settings appeared first on Newswire.