Recent operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Police in collaboration with the National Child Protection Authority have identified 21 at-risk children across several districts, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Ratnapura, Galle, and Matara. 

The children had been placed in state protective custody in line with a new program launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to intensify the enforcement of existing child protection laws. 

According to the ministry, these efforts target the exploitation of children in hazardous circumstances such as street begging, trading, and domestic labour.

In preparation for nationwide implementation, a Cabinet memorandum has been submitted outlining the urgent need to approve the enforcement of these laws from July 1, 2025.

Urging the public to act as partners in safeguarding the nation’s children, the ministry encouraged anyone with information regarding children in dangerous or exploitative situations to contact:

• The 1929 Child Helpline
• The Police Children & Women’s Bureau via the 109 Emergency Hotline
• Any local police station
• Field officers attached to the Ministry through Divisional and District Secretariats (Newswire)

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A program to provide a living allowance for children and street children under institutional care or guardianship has received the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers. 

Institutional care is provided to children who have lost their parents or guardians or are under the guardianship of one or both parents, where there is no protection or security in the homes they live in, and to orphaned and abandoned children in detention or child development centres.

By the end of 2024, it was reported that there were about 9,191 children in the residential care of 356 Child Development Centres that are maintained by the government, voluntary organisations, and non-governmental organisations throughout the country. 

A provision of Rs. 1,000 million has been allocated by the budget for 2025 to provide a Rs. 5,000 allowance monthly for the children or street children who are in institutional care or guardianship. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs to appoint a monitoring committee chaired by the Ministry Secretary, comprising officers from other relevant institutions, for the necessary guidance and post-review activities to continue this program sustainably and effectively.

Cabinet approval has also been granted to provide the aforementioned allowance in the following manner. 

• Out of the Rs. 5,000 allowance, Rs. 3,000 goes to the development centre that detains the child or guardian for the education, health, and other welfare expenses that should be given by them through the National Savings Bank.
• The balance amount of Rs. 2000 should be deposited monthly in a savings account in the name of the child in the National Savings Bank for their future well-being. (Newswire)

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