Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

On 20 November 1989—34 years ago, world leaders came together in a rare moment of unity for the children of the world. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted as a promise to every child to protect and fulfil his/her rights.

The Convention recognizes that Childhood or being under 18, is a special moment in life for physical growth, play, learning and mental development.

The Convention is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has over the years helped transform children´s rights around the world. 

Sri Lanka was among the first countries to sign the Convention in 1990 and ratified it in 1991—committing to implement it and be held accountable.

Since then, Sri Lanka has made notable progress on child rights, including:

• Maintaining universal immunization
• Achieving near universal access to primary education—at 99 per cent
• Reduced and maintained low rates of children dying before their 

5th birthday—at 11 per 1000 live births.

• Sustained over 88.5% access to safe drinking water.

These are just a few of several remarkable achievements the country has made in protecting children, including through the years of conflict, then Tsunami, COVID-19 and most recently, the economic crisis.

While we celebrate the progress, the CRC anniversary is also a moment to remind ourselves of the work that remains to be done:

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