Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that ensuring children’s emotional security, mental well-being and self-confidence is important in the face of the modern social and technological challenges confronting childhood, and that the Government has accorded priority to this area.
The Prime Minister made these remarks today (October 01) while participating in the National Children’s Day Celebration organised by the Department of Probation and Child Care Services under the guidance of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Speaking at the event, held under the theme “Mentally Strong, Children Empowered," Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“The Government is taking steps to strengthen the necessary legal and protective frameworks to ensure that children benefit from digital technology and artificial intelligence in education while also protecting them from the violence and pressure caused by cyberbullying and misleading content. Accordingly, we are implementing the necessary reforms to prevent physical punishment and psychological abuse of children and to promote disciplinary methods that safeguard the dignity of the child.
At the same time, through the Women, Young Persons and Children’s Employment Act, which was enacted to protect children from economic exploitation, steps have been taken to increase the fine for employing children in hazardous work from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000. In addition, steps have been taken to formalise preschool education under a single national standard, establish provisions for the registration and regulation of preschools, and introduce mandatory professional qualifications and training for teachers.
During the preschool years, it is far more important to develop children’s social skills and personalities through sports than to force them to write letters and numbers. We must ensure that every child has the right to live safely and with self-confidence, irrespective of language, religion or geographical differences. This is not something the Government can achieve alone. Parents, teachers and society as a whole must come together to fulfil this responsibility.”
Addressing at the event, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, stated,
"As adults, we must not only advise children but also act as role models for them. As a Government, we have taken responsibility for addressing all the areas where we have fallen short in our obligations towards children and are working to protect them. I urge parents to protect your children and not allow them to become unsafe even within their own homes. Give your children attention and listen to them. I also urge teachers to go beyond teaching academic subjects and teach children about life.
Teach them that a job is not merely a means of earning an income, but also a responsibility. If we do so, we will be able to build a better country. We can break the cycle of violence and abuse that has emerged in our society only if we act with awareness of and concern for one another.”
The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Dr. Namal Sudarshana, Member of Parliament Aruna Panagoda, Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Kasun Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Tharangani Wickramasinghe, ambassadors, foreign representatives, government officials, teachers and children, the PM’s Office said.
