Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stressed the importance of safeguarding children’s emotional security, mental well-being and self-confidence amid the social and technological challenges affecting childhood today.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while attending the National Children’s Day celebration organised by the Department of Probation and Child Care Services under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. The event was held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura under the theme “Mentally Strong, Children Empowered.”
Prime Minister Amarasuriya said the Government was taking steps to strengthen legal and protective frameworks to ensure children can benefit from digital technology and artificial intelligence in education while being protected from cyberbullying, harmful online pressure and misleading content.
She said reforms were also being introduced to prevent physical punishment and psychological abuse of children and promote disciplinary approaches that respect their dignity.
The Prime Minister further said amendments under the Women, Young Persons and Children’s Employment Act had increased the fine for employing children in hazardous work from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000 as part of measures to prevent the economic exploitation of children.
She also highlighted steps to bring preschool education under a common national standard, establish mechanisms for the registration and regulation of preschools, and introduce mandatory professional qualifications and training for preschool teachers.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed that during the preschool years, developing children’s social skills and personalities through activities such as sports is more important than placing excessive emphasis on teaching letters and numbers.
She said every child should have the right to live safely and with self-confidence regardless of language, religion or geographical location, adding that achieving this goal requires the collective efforts of parents, teachers and society.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, addressing the event, said adults should not only advise children but also serve as role models.
She said the Government had taken responsibility for addressing shortcomings in its obligations towards children and strengthening their protection, while urging parents to pay close attention to their children, listen to them and ensure their safety even within their homes.
The Minister also called on teachers to go beyond academic education and help children understand life, responsibility and the value of work.
She said breaking the cycle of violence and abuse in society would require greater awareness, mutual concern and collective responsibility.
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 also attended the event, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.