Govt launches “Diviyata Saviyak” Housing Programme to safeguard children

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized that safeguarding the lives of children, the nation’s most precious asset, is a fundamental responsibility of the Government. 

He made these remarks while participating in the launch of the “Diviyata Saviyak” Housing Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, yesterday (17) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Under the programme, a housing assistance grant of Rs. 2 million each is provided to support the construction of homes for young men and women over the age of 18 who have transitioned into society from Child Development Centres, as well as children identified as being in vulnerable and high‑risk situations. 

Last year, Rs. 1 million was allocated for this purpose, but the amount was doubled this year to strengthen support. The President further stated that the Government is prepared to allocate additional funds if the current amount proves insufficient.

Financial assistance was presented to beneficiaries from the Western Province during the launch. 

The initiative also includes a savings programme, with Rs. 5,000 deposited monthly into bank accounts opened for children in Child Development Centres, ensuring they have financial security when they enter society.

The President stressed that while parents, society, and the State all share responsibility for protecting children, the Government is committed to fulfilling its role by creating safe living conditions and ensuring dignity for every child. 

He urged society to strengthen its bond with children and collectively assume responsibility for their care and protection.

Full statement by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake:

Safeguarding the lives of children, the nation’s most precious asset, is the Government’s responsibility. We are fulfilling that responsibility. Children are the nation’s most precious asset. In our country, there are children who grow up under the care of their parents. Some grow up under the care of their grandparents, while others are raised in Child Development Centres. Regardless of where or under what circumstances they live, they are all our children. Parents strive to improve their children’s lives and protect them. Similarly, society seeks to provide children with proper care and protection. The Government takes measures to provide care and protection for children, meet their needs and create an appropriate environment for their well‑being. This is a responsibility of the Government.

Although these bonds remain strong from a cultural perspective, children still face circumstances that we would never wish to see. This means that we have not yet succeeded in providing children with complete protection or in creating an environment conducive to their well‑being and development. Society, the State and parents all bear a significant responsibility for protecting children. We do not believe that any child should grow up in an unsafe environment or without love and care. It is our responsibility to create an environment in which every child can live safely and with dignity, and to ensure their protection.

Through today’s programme, we seek to address one aspect of this responsibility: ensuring the wellbeing and security of young men and women who leave Child Development Centres and transition into society, as well as children living in unsafe housing conditions. Last year we provided Rs. 1 million towards a secure home. As it was found that this amount was insufficient, we increased the allocation to Rs. 2 million this year. If that too is insufficient, we are prepared to allocate further funds. This is because ensuring the future of our children is our responsibility.

With the intention of ensuring that children leaving Child Development Centres have some financial savings and an asset of their own when they enter society, we have launched a programme to open a bank account for every child in these centres and deposit Rs. 5,000 into each account every month. We have also decided to provide a home for young people who have reached the age of 18 and transitioned into society, enabling them to secure their future.

No child should be subjected to harm. As a Government, we are making a strong commitment to fulfilling this responsibility. The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is also working with dedication towards this objective. I urge all of you, as members of society, to fulfil your responsibility in protecting and caring for our children. (Newswire)

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