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UNICEF urges to put children’s needs first in tackling current crisis in Lanka

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4 years ago

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Cautioning that Sri Lanka is facing a crisis that risks taking a significant toll on children, the UNICEF said as the Government of Sri Lanka and partners work to resolve the current crises, the needs of children must come first and their right to education, health, food and protection safeguarded.

The UNICEF Sri Lanka in an op-ed article given below said as the situation evolves, it is crucial that Government efforts include closely monitoring the impact on Sri Lanka’s youngest citizens—the future of the country, but currently the most vulnerable.

In tackling the current crisis in Sri Lanka, put children’s needs first

Article 3(1) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) states that, “ln all actions concerning children the best interest of the child shall be a primary consideration”

This simply means that when adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children. All adults should do what is best for children; not what is best for themselves. Adults include parents, caregivers and Government decision-makers.

The CRC adopted on 20th November 1989 is an important agreement by countries who have promised to protect children’s rights. Sri Lanka was among the first countries to sign the CRC in 1990 and ratified it in 1991.

In partnership with UNICEF, the Government of Sri Lanka has over the years made significant strides in improving the health, education and protection of children across the island: from achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989), to establishing the National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disasters.

But now we face a crisis that risks taking a significant toll on children.

Although the exact impact of the current crisis on children is yet to be established, like in any crises, children are often the worst affected when access to adequate food, education, health and protection services are disrupted.

17-year-old Jithmini recently told UNICEF, “my school in Colombo had to close before the end of the term. I was not able to go to school because there was no fuel. I am worried about what will happen next. I just need fuel for my school van.”

12-year-old Senuni added, “my little sister cries in the night because it is too hot. No electricity and no generator. Even I can’t sleep peacefully. We all wake up tired in the morning and feel sick all day.”

Distressing testimonies from children continue to come in as the crisis takes its toll on their schools, health centres and their access to nutritious food. This is even more worrying in a country where poverty has been aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the recent Multidimensional Poverty in Sri Lanka, more than four out of every ten (42.2%) children under the age of five lack at least two basic rights.

The combined burden of poverty, COVID-19 and the current crisis disproportionately affects children, especially the most vulnerable girls and boys, with far reaching consequences for the future of the future of Sri Lanka.

As the Government of Sri Lanka and partners work to resolve the current crises, the needs of children must come first and their right to education, health, food and protection safeguarded.

UNICEF is recommending the following to ensure children do not bear the brunt of the crisis:

Firstly, when making decisions on children, they must be listened to and their views taken seriously. The responsibility falls on the Government and all adults to give children the opportunity to meaningfully voice their own concerns and participate in matters that affect their futures. In doing so, children must not be manipulated and all fundamental guarantees for the protection of children must remain applicable, at all times.

Protect the education of children to avoid further learning losses. COVID-19 has already wreaked havoc on the schooling of children globally, including here in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was among the countries with the longest school closures experienced in the world. The disruption caused by the pandemic has resulted in widening inequalities and learning losses that threaten to reverse and, in the worst case, completely erase the gains made over the past decades. With the current power-cuts in the country, home-based online learning is even more difficult for children and adolescents. Even before the pandemic, the most marginalized children were being left behind. It is therefore crucial that the Government of Sri Lanka prioritizes the continued operation of schools for in-person learning.

Cushion social protection systems on which the most vulnerable depend, including the voucher for pregnant and lactating mothers. For many such women, the voucher is a lifeline, enabling them to afford some of their basic needs. This, together with continuous maternity services and provision of vitamin supplements for children between 6 -24 months, are crucial to prevent another crisis among these vulnerable groups.

Guarantee access to all other essential services for children, including health and clean water. Reported shortages of essential medicines should concern all of us. Water taps could as well run dry due to lack of electricity or fuel for pumps. Communities often turn to unsafe water sources when clean water is unavailable, making them susceptible to common diseases. Coupled with a shortage of medicines, this can be a recipe for disaster for Sri Lanka’s children.

As the situation evolves, it is crucial that Government efforts include closely monitoring the impact on Sri Lanka’s youngest citizens—the future of the country, but currently the most vulnerable.

Sri Lanka has demonstrated a good example in tackling complex crises before, including most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. UNICEF firmly believes that Sri Lanka can turn things around by investing where it matters most – in safeguarding the rights of its children.

Now is the time.


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Comprehensive reforms to be introduced in the higher education sector in line with primary and secondary education reforms – PM

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2026/05/7

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated in Parliament on Wednesday [06th of May]  that the Government has planned to introduce relevant changes in the higher education sector aligning with the new reforms being implemented in the primary and secondary education sectors.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while responding to questions raised by Member of Parliament Manjula Sugath Rathnayaka.

The Prime Minister further stated:

“A special expert committee appointed for this purpose has been in operation over the past six months, and based on the report of this panel, existing issues in the higher education sector will be identified and the necessary reforms will be implemented.

A total number of 281,810 students sat for the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, of whom 176,538 qualified for university admission. Following the subject streams, the number of students who qualified  is as follows: 32,935 in Biological Sciences, 23,012 in Physical Sciences, 39,608 in Commerce, 58,269 in Arts, 4,199 in the General Stream, 12,472 in Engineering Technology, and 6,043 in Bio-Systems Technology from which  42,937 students are expected to be admitted to universities.

While ensuring the quality of education, the Government gives priority to improving facilities for university students. It has also been decided to maintain the intake for first-degree admissions at the same level as in previous years.

A new course in Geographic Information Systems has been introduced at the University of Ruhuna, and a course in Electronic and Intelligent Systems Engineering has been introduced at the University of Peradeniya from the academic year 2025/2026. Fifty students will be enrolled for each of these new programmes. Steps have already been completed to release the cut-off marks and forward the registration lists to the respective universities”.

Responding to a question raised by the Member of Parliament K. Kader Mastan regarding preschool education, the Prime Minister stated:

“As most preschools in the country are managed by the private sector, the Ministry currently has no provision to offer permanent appointments or salaries to their staff. However, steps are already being taken to provide a certain allowance to volunteer teachers in selected preschools under Provincial Councils.

By 2027, the entire preschool education system is expected to undergo comprehensive reform, with necessary measures being jointly undertaken by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

In addition, based on the recommendations of the National Education Commission, a national policy to regulate preschool education is scheduled to be established in 2026. Under this policy, teacher guidelines and model activity manuals are being prepared, along with plans to conduct teacher training programmes at the provincial level”.

Commenting on volunteer teachers, the Prime Minister emphasized that, in accordance with the Cabinet decision dated 04.01.2007, the policy of not recruiting any volunteer teachers beyond the approved 4,700 teacher aides will continue to be implemented.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Joint programme between President’s Fund and Janashakthi Foundation to expand healthcare facilities for children

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16 hours ago

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2026/05/7

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(Pic PMD)

A special collaboration between the Presidents’s Fund and the Janashakthi Foundation, aimed at expanding healthcare facilities available to children under the age of 18, was launched on Wednesday (06) morning.

Implemented under the theme “Building a Healthier Today for a Winning Tomorrow”, this national initiative has been introduced through the joint efforts of the President’s Fund and the Janashakthi Foundation with the objective of reducing the financial barriers associated with children’s healthcare.

Under the President’s Fund, only a portion of the medical expenses incurred by a patient is generally covered. However, under this new collaboration, the Janashakthi Foundation will provide either an equivalent amount or the remaining balance of the treatment cost, whichever is lower.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary to the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the President,  Roshan Gamage, stated that the present Government had taken steps to decentralise and digitalise the operations of the President’s Fund, thereby transforming it into a truly people-centric fund. He noted that this had reinforced public confidence in the Fund’s transparency, accountability and effectiveness and added that the collaboration with the Janashakthi Foundation had further strengthened this process.

Gamage further stated that close and meaningful coordination with the private sector would help enhance healthcare assistance provided to children and minimise the gap between the financial aid available and the actual cost of essential medical treatment.

Also addressing the gathering, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Janashakthi Group, Ramesh Schaffter, stated that difficulties in accessing medical treatment constitute a major obstacle preventing children from progressing towards a better future.

He further stated that the collaboration seeks to reduce that obstacle by extending support to children who are in urgent need of assistance, thereby laying the foundation for future generations to face tomorrow with greater confidence.

Under this programme, applicants seeking additional financial assistance are required, when applying to the President’s Fund, to duly complete and submit a consent form authorising the secure sharing of their information with the Janashakthi Foundation.

The identification of children requiring financial assistance, verification of their information and approval of funds will continue to be carried out by the President’s Fund.

Under this initiative, payments will generally be made to the guardians of children following the completion of treatment. However, in cases involving emergency treatment and treatment conducted overseas, payments will be made in advance.

Applicants submitting medical assistance applications to the President’s Fund from 15 May 2026 onwards will be eligible to apply for additional funding from the Janashakthi Foundation.

The event, held at the Hilton Colombo, was attended by J.M. Wijebandara, Director General of Legal Affairs at the Presidential Secretariat and Advisor to the President (Legal Affairs); C.T.A. Schaffter, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Janashakthi Group; Gamika De Silva, Group Chief Marketing Officer; Dilshan Wirasekara, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Janashakthi Group; as well as officials of the President’s Fund and the Janashakthi Foundation.

President’s Media Division (PMD)

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Maldivian President concludes state visit to Sri Lanka

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17 hours ago

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2026/05/7

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The President of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, departed Sri Lanka on Wednesday morning (06) from the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, concluding a successful state visit to the country.

The visit by the Maldivian President and his delegation further strengthened the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, while delivering a range of mutual benefits to the peoples of both nations.

This marked President Muizzu’s first state visit to Sri Lanka, during which several mutually beneficial areas of cooperation were agreed upon, underscoring the success of the visit.

Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports , Sunil Kumara Gamage, Member of Parliament Oshani Umanga, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were present at the airport to bid farewell to the Maldivian President, the First Lady and the accompanying delegation.

(President’s Media Division)

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