The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs says instructions have been issued to the relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary government interventions to safeguard the future well-being of the 15-year-old girl and the infant found in the Knuckles region are implemented promptly and continuously.
Issuing a statement, the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj said:
“The incident reported from the Knuckles region, involving a 15-year-old daughter who was found with a newborn baby following an unsafe childbirth, is deeply shocking and distressing to me, both as a mother and as a human being.
Nevertheless, it is a relief that the lives of both the minor girl who experienced this incident and the newborn baby are currently out of danger.
Instructions have already been issued to the relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary government interventions are carried out promptly and continuously to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of both children and to secure their future welfare.
We do not consider this incident an isolated occurrence. It is evident that the various economic, social, political and other complexities prevailing in society today are exposing our children to different forms and degrees of vulnerability. We have also observed that the mutual relationships and open communication that should exist between parents and children are gradually weakening, becoming a significant contributing factor to incidents of this nature.
As a result, there is a growing tendency for children to face insecurity even within the very environments where they should feel safest, particularly among those closest to them.
Regardless of the circumstances, I believe that all of us, as parents, must strive to instill in our children an unwavering sense of trust and confidence that “I am safe with my parents.”
I firmly believe that creating a secure family environment and encouraging open communication within the home can go a long way towards preventing and minimising such dangerous and distressing incidents.
Furthermore, this incident also highlights the need for all parties and government institutions that work directly or indirectly with individuals facing vulnerability or unsafe circumstances to become even more accessible, approachable and trustworthy to the public.
Having continuously monitored such social issues and situations that place children at risk over an extended period, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is currently undertaking all necessary measures, including securing budgetary allocations, to introduce a new "Alternative Care Policy" from 2027 onwards as a structured and sustainable response for children who find themselves in vulnerable situations.
As safeguarding children's rights and ensuring their protection is a collective responsibility of society, I urge all citizens to act with greater sensitivity, awareness and concern towards the well-being of the children of our country.”
