The Department of Probation and Child Care Services has identified 14,834 children in vulnerable circumstances across the country, its officials disclosed at the Colombo District Secretariat on Thursday (28) during the District Multi-Stakeholder Drug Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme.

An official from the Department of Probation and Child Care Services said that Child Rights Promotion Officers were currently engaged in supporting vulnerable children, while a significant number of cases were also being referred to the Department through police stations.

The official said that the main challenge was the lack of proper coordination among stakeholders. In particular, he noted that in drug-related cases, officers were unable to effectively reach certain areas, such as Badowita, and suggested that a collaborative family-centered care and development plan should be prepared to prioritise the well-being of the child.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said that it had been noticed that some cases were not being investigated properly and that many children had become highly vulnerable, creating opportunities for criminal elements to exploit them. He added that 15-year-olds were reportedly involved in the underworld and that children out of school were being targeted by drug traffickers.

Wijepala acknowledged that while numerous institutions work with children, merely identifying the problem was insufficient. He stressed that active programmes and dedicated institutions were required to address the issue and noted that financial support would be generously provided by the President.

Nugegoda SSP, Mangala Dehideniya, said that many children became insecure when their mothers went abroad. He added that while the situation had changed over time, there were families in which mothers used ‘Ice’ drugs and were unable to ensure their children attended school, and that such situations had been identified in areas, including Obeysekarapura and Welikada.