News
Stop Child Cruelty Trust launches project to protect children
Encourages children to reflect on their welfare via National Art and Speech Competition
Taking a novel approach to commemorate Children’s Day, Stop Child Cruelty Trust (SCC) recently launched the ‘#JustANumber Child Protection Month’ to increase awareness of the fundamental rights of children through various public programmes. One of the key objectives of this advocacy campaign is to compel the Parliament to change the Penal Code on Cruelty to Children, especially following the Supreme Court’s recognition of corporal punishment of children by schools as unlawful and a violation of a child’s right. To bolster this purpose, SCC will also join hands with like-minded Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organizations to form Sri Lanka’s first ever Child Protection Alliance.
The highlight of the virtual event was the introduction of the first initiative taken under the #JustANumber Child Protection Month – a National Art and Speech Competition. The competition aims to create a platform for children as young as 6 years up to 18 years to share their own, unique perspective on the country’s child protection crisis and encourage them to directly get involved in the decision making related to their welfare. For more details regarding the competition, please visit www.facebook.com/groups/211381800981039.
Commenting on the purpose behind the #JustANumber Child Protection Month was Chairperson of Stop Child Cruelty Trust, Dr. Tush Wickramanayaka. “Even with the unprecedented rise in child abuse on our paradise island, the relevant authorities appear to be crippled in their efforts to protect and promote our children’s rights. Child protection is a collective social responsibility and Stop Child Cruelty is fully committed to becoming the powerful force behind increasing knowledge and engagement to empower Sri Lankans across the country to recognise the child as a rights holder.”
During the past year, five children had been physically and sexually abused and killed in Sri Lanka. Despite having signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) three decades ago and being the only South Asian country committed to Sustainable Development Goal 16.2 to end violence against children, the country still lacks a national child protection framework.
Addressing the event as the Chief Guest was former President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga – a pioneering figure in implementing child protection legislation in the country. After signing the UNCRC in 1991, she authorised amendments to the Penal Code 308A Cruelty to Children in 1996, established the Child Protection Authority in 1998, and approved the Ministry of Education Circular 17/2005 to ban corporal punishment in schools in 2005.
While reflecting on the tremendous achievements of the special Child Protection Task Force of experts during her tenure, Mrs Kumaratunga reiterated that Government authorities should resolve the child protection crisis effectively without politicising matters by working cohesively with Non-Governmental Organizations. “Child protection is the ultimate measurement of the level of civilization in a society and I applaud the efforts of Stop Child Cruelty Trust in establishing the Child Protection Alliance to find solutions to the current child protection crisis in Sri Lanka,” she stated. Mrs Kumaratunga will also be the judge of the National Art and Speech Competition.
Professor Savithri Goonesekere, Emeritus Professor of Law and former Vice Chancellor at the University of Colombo was the keynote speaker at the event. As a former member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children, Prof. Goonesekere has been actively contributing towards legal and policy child protection reforms. “Strengthening law enforcement by rejecting the proverbial rhetoric by relevant authorities and responding to child cruelty by engaging with children is a creative strategy and perhaps the one effective way to address Sri Lanka’s child protection crisis”, she said.
The #JustANumber Child Protection Month will be hosting a range of events including a series of online forums that will take place every weekend from the 1st of October until the 20th of November 2021. To stay updated regarding the upcoming activities under the campaign and other events, visit www.facebook.com/stopchildcruelty. Those interested in getting involved towards the protection of children in Sri Lanka can visit www.stopchildcruelty.com or email info@stopchildcruelty.com.
The Ceylon Electricity Board has appealed to all rooftop solar owners across the country to voluntarily switch off their solar systems during day time hours (until 3pm each day) from April 13th to 21st to prevent partial power outages or nationwide blackouts which may occur.
The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the people of Sri Lanka should no longer be burdened by conflict and the Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country, with the government and the public service must discharge their duties to meet the needs of the people.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in Velanai, Nallur, and Vadamarachchi.
The Prime Minister said that:
“There are numerous issues regarding infrastructure development in the Northern Province ranging from roads, drinking water supply, agriculture, and unemployment, to education and health sectors.
Many of these development tasks fall under the responsibility of local governments and provincial councils that represents your areas. However, these responsibilities have not been properly discharged.
While it is said that the issues raised in the North and East were caused by the war, 16 years have passed since the end of the war. What real change has taken place? Have the lives of the people in these areas has improved?
Although the central government allocates funds to provincial governing bodies, there should be a transparent mechanism in place to ensure that these funds are properly utilized for the relevant projects.
On May 6th, you will hold the decisive right to elect the local government closest to you that will work to uplift your lives and develop your communities. Elect representatives who are committed to serving the people, and free of fraud and corruption.
The government is actively participating in lifting the country from its fallen state and to overcome the current economic challenges. We accept that there is a long way to go. The prices of goods are still high but the government is currently working towards a change, and the people will receive the benefits in the near future.
Measures have been taken to increase the basic salary of public servants from this year’s Budget. The public service must commit to discharging duties with dedication. This must be not only a people’s government, but also a public service that belongs to the people.
Even after the independence, this country has seen much bloodshed and conflict. The people have suffered greatly as a result. The government is determined to ensure that such a situation never arises again. Therefore, the government is committed to fostering peace within the country.”
The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar, along with several Members of Parliament and local representatives in the North.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
A meeting organized by the National Initiative for Research & Development Commercialization (NIRDC) was held on Thursday (10) at the Presidential Secretariat to streamline and commercialize research and development activities in the defence sector.
Participating institutions included the Centre for Defence Research and Development under the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the Research and Development Division of the Sri Lanka Police.
The NIRDC Unit, established under the Presidential Secretariat, aims to accelerate national development by facilitating investment opportunities to commercially apply completed or nearing completion research projects from both public and private institutions.
Defence institutions play a critical role for the progress of technology and science in relation to national security and development. Acknowledging this importance, the meeting was chaired by Senior Advisor to the President on Science and Technology, Professor Gomika Udugamasuriya.
During the meeting, it was discussed in detail regarding the completed and on-going research and development projects within the defence sector, as well as those planned for the future. Special attention was given to identifying opportunities for collaboration among research and development units, enhancing innovation capabilities, and exploring ways to share resources effectively.
The discussion focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration between research and development units relevant to these sectors, enhancing innovation capabilities and exploring ways to share resources effectively. It also examined possible steps to strengthen coordination between civil and defence research institutions. The discussion concluded productively, with several innovations identified that have the potential for future commercialization.
The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) . Russel Aponsu, NIRDC Director General Dr. Muditha D. Senarath Yapa, Director (Investments) . Idunil Gunathilaka along with other officials.
[PMD]
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