January 19, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj has said the government is rolling out a wide-ranging reform agenda to improve early childhood development and care across Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the concluding session of the Global Caregiver Forum 2026 in Madrid, the Minister said the initiatives reflect the administration’s broader vision of creating a safe environment for children while nurturing a creative and capable future generation.
She highlighted several flagship programmes now underway, including the “Step-Up” communication initiative designed to improve health awareness among young children and their families. The government also plans to introduce a unified national preschool curriculum by 2027, alongside structured training for nearly 19,000 early childhood educators.
According to the Minister, policy efforts are being reinforced through the National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Action Plan for Early Childhood Care and Development covering the period from 2025 to 2029. In addition, a five-year support programme is being implemented at provincial and district levels to assist children with neurological conditions, including autism, through early intervention and specialised care.
Minister Paulraj stressed that a key priority is redefining the status of caregivers in Sri Lanka, moving away from the notion of informal assistance towards recognised, professionally accredited roles. She said this shift would improve standards of care while offering greater dignity and career security to those working in the sector.
She reaffirmed the government’s intention to draw on international best practices when shaping national policies, with the aim of ensuring long-term wellbeing for both children and caregivers.
Reflecting on recent events, the Minister also praised the solidarity shown by communities across the country in response to Cyclone Ditwah, describing it as a powerful example of collective compassion. She concluded by underscoring that caregiving should be viewed not as a private struggle, but as a shared responsibility between the State and society at large.
