By: Isuru Parakrama
October 01, Colombo (LNW): Marking World Children’s Day, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed his government’s commitment to nurturing the well-being of children by addressing the barriers that stifle their growth and happiness.
In a heartfelt message, he expressed the government’s vision to reclaim the carefree and joyful childhood that every child deserves, while also ensuring that harmful social prejudices and the pressures of exam-centric education are tackled head-on.
The President highlighted a range of critical issues affecting children today, including poverty, malnutrition, inadequate healthcare, environmental degradation, and the widening gap in educational opportunities.
He also pointed to the dangers posed by substance abuse and the misuse of technology, both of which can have lasting negative effects on children’s development.
Dissanayake underscored the need to free children from the burdens that hinder their psychosocial development, with a renewed focus on fostering a supportive and enriching environment.
“By nurturing a generation of children who are healthy in both mind and spirit, we will raise compassionate, independent, and imaginative individuals who will contribute to a brighter and more harmonious future,” he said.
The President further outlined the government’s priorities, which include promoting economic stability to uplift families out of poverty, fostering a culture of mutual trust and respect within communities, and protecting the nation’s environmental heritage.
He emphasised the importance of holistic support for children’s development, where kindness, acceptance, and personal freedom are key to shaping well-rounded individuals. In addition, he called for political transformation to ensure these goals are met.
In this new “renaissance era,” as President Dissanayake termed it, the government is committed to not only addressing children’s immediate needs but also cultivating a society that encourages curiosity, creativity, and empathy in the next generation.
Full Statement:
World Children’s Day 2024
The future belongs to our children.
Let’s dedicate ourselves to creating a better world for them.
We have identified several significant challenges facing today’s children, including poverty, malnutrition, inadequate health and sanitation, environmental degradation, educational disparities, social inequalities, and the risks associated with substance abuse and technology misuse.
Our mission in this renaissance era is to free children from harmful prejudices and social effects, and the pressures of exam-focused education, which hinder their psychosocial development. We aim to reclaim the joyful, carefree childhood that every child deserves.
By nurturing a generation of children who are healthy both in mind and spirit, we can foster compassionate, independent, and imaginative individuals who will shape a better future.
To achieve this, we are committed to promoting economic freedom, fostering human kindness, building mutual trust, and encouraging respect and acceptance within society. Additionally, we prioritize the protection of our rich environmental heritage and advocate for necessary political transformation.
This is a shared responsibility for all of us!
