Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala stated that there is a growing trend of children falling victim to criminal activities through the internet.
He made these remarks while attending an event held in Colombo, highlighting the increasing risks faced by children in today’s technologically advanced society.
The Deputy Minister noted that although schoolchildren extensively use social media, they often lack sufficient awareness of the potential dangers associated with online activities.
He further pointed out that various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, are conducted through the internet, making school-aged children vulnerable targets for criminals.
He particularly emphasized that children who are not attending school are at greater risk of being exploited for criminal activities, including supply operations within drug networks.
The Deputy Minister stated that the Sri Lanka Police has prioritised measures to prevent children from being exploited or recruited into criminal activities.
Meanwhile, he revealed that the Police Children and Women Bureau has recently received a significant number of complaints and reports concerning such incidents.
