News

National Assessment and Policy Review: The impact of social media on children

Published

2 weeks ago

2026/02/1

Priyan

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne, stated that the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and the Ministry of Digital Economy are planning to initiate a national assessment and policy review on the impact of social media on children.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the initiative is expected to be advanced by giving due consideration to the insights of experts across all relevant fields, including child protection, education, health, mental health, cyber security, law and research, as well as by listening to the voices of civil society and youth.

Full statement made by Deputy Minister, Eranga Weeraratne.

“Many parents in Sri Lanka today face the challenge of understanding the impact of social media on their children and determining what measures they should take to ensure their safety. The solution is not to restrict children’s access to technology. Social media offers numerous benefits, including educational opportunities, the development of creative skills and improved communication. However, there is also a reality we must acknowledge. The online environment can often be unsafe, overwhelming and psychologically stressful for children. The resulting harm can negatively affect a child’s sleep, education, friendships and overall mental well-being. In some cases, excessive engagement with social media becomes difficult to control. Attempts to prevent such overuse may sometimes lead to conflicts, anger, or harsh disciplinary measures, which further impact learning and mental health. Consequently, children may experience stress, diminished self-confidence and emotional distress.

Online cyber bullying is another major concern. Additionally, children are often exposed to age-inappropriate content, including violent, sexual, or otherwise harmful material. There have been cases where children repeatedly engage with such harmful content, becoming increasingly absorbed in it. Some online games also present situations that encourage children to engage in disruptive or unsafe behaviour.

In extreme cases, such engagement has even led children to put their lives at risk. For this reason, ensuring the online safety of children has become a national priority in many countries. Our approach, likewise, must be guided by three fundamental principles.

First, the safety of children is paramount. This remains a non-negotiable policy of the government. Second, our actions must be based on evidence and research. We never proceed based on assumptions. Third, while safeguarding rights and privacy, our goal is to minimize excessive surveillance. Striking a balance between rights, safety and innovation is our primary objective.

Many countries around the world are already taking measures in this regard. It has become a timely necessity for us to carefully study these experiences, adapt them to our context and develop a comprehensive programme to protect our children. As a first step, we hope to initiate a national assessment and policy review on the impact of social media on children, in consultation with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.”

Experts in fields such as child protection, education, health, mental health, cyber security, law and research, along with the voices of civil society and youth, must be engaged in this effort. This is not a challenge that the government can address alone. Parents, teachers and children themselves all need to participate collaboratively. Through this approach, we can create an environment where our children can make full use of technology safely and responsibly.

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News

Prime Minister meets delegation from the European External Action Service

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the representatives of the European External Action Service [EEAS] on Tuesdqy [10 th February] at the Prime Minister’s office.

Welcoming the delegation from the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of further strengthening and deepening the long-standing partnership between Sri Lanka and the European Union, noting the role of the European Union as a key development and economic partner.

The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for the timely assistance extended by the European Union to Sri Lanka in response to the recent cyclone, highlighting the EU’s continued solidarity and support during times of need.

Attention was drawn to the need to expand economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of undertaking necessary legislative and policy reforms to facilitate enhanced economic engagement, trade, and investment.

The delegation was briefed on the ongoing initiatives and reforms being implemented by the new Government aimed at strengthening economic stability, governance, and creating a conducive environment for sustainable growth and international cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service, EU co-chair of the Joint Commission, Ms. Paola Pampaloni; EU Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation Ms. Carmen Moreno and the representatives of European External Action Services and Delegation of the European Union, and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta and the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, Tourism Sri Lanka.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Business

Newly appointed ADB Country Director to Sri Lanka and delegation meet PM

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/12

Priyan

The newly appointed Country Director of the Asian Development Bank for Sri Lanka Ms Shannon Cowlin and the accompanying delegation met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Tuesday [0th of February] at the Prime Minister’s office.

Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister extended congratulations to the newly appointed Country Director and acknowledged the long-standing partnership with the Asian Development Bank. The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for ADB Bank’s continued engagement and support aligned with Sri Lanka’s national development priorities.

The Prime Minister also conveyed gratitude for the timely assistance extended by the ADB in response to Cyclone Ditwah, noting the importance of such support in mitigating the immediate impacts of natural disasters.

The ADB delegation reiterated its readiness to further assist Sri Lanka during the post-cyclone recovery phase, including rebuilding and reconstruction efforts, and emphasized its commitment to the supporting the education sector.

The meeting was attended by OIC / Deputy Director General, SARD Ms. Sona Shrestha, Ms. Cholpon Mambetova Country Operations Head of ADB Sri Lanka Mission Resident, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Director General of the External Resource Department, Ministry of Finance Samantha Bandara, Director for ADB Division in External Resource Department, Ministry of Finance Ranjith Gurusinghe.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

School student transport services are being regulated

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/12

Priyan

A discussion on regulating school student transport services was held on the 09th of February at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the participation of officials from the National Transport Commission and the Ministry of Education.

The authority for regulating school student transport has been vested with the National Transport Commission, and as the relevant draft of regulations have already been prepared, discussions were held on the provisions contained in these drafts as well as on new proposals that should be incorporated.

During the discussion, the attention was focused on meeting the emerging needs of transportation arising from the schools, minimizing issues encountered in the transportation of school students by establishing an organized transport mechanism, and deploying the “Sisu Sariya” school transport service in a more efficient and effective manner followed by the new educational reforms process.

Discussions were also held on introducing laws and regulations to systematize the transportation of schoolchildren, prioritizing child protection by preventing reported incidents of abuse and harassment during student transport, and enhancing professionalism among school transport service providers to ensure a responsible and accountable service.

The focus was also emphasized on the need for coordinated action among the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the National Transport Commission, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the National Child Protection Authority.

The discussion was attended by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, Chairman of the National Transport Commission P. A. Chandrapala, officials of the National Transport Commission, and the officials from the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]