Legal obstacles to decisions on behalf of children should be removed forthwith – PM

World Children’s Day celebrations, organised by the Women and Child Affairs Ministry, was held yesterday (01) at Temple Trees, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, at the invitation of State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Geetha Kumarasinghe.

The Prime Minister addressing the event commented as follows: “The Government is taking numerous steps to make many proposals and to implement them in order to make a better future for children, to protect children amidst a number of problems, and to fulfil the expectations of children and make them happy. It is essential to provide the necessary additional protection and support for enhancing those measures.

“There can be no obstacles for children to enjoy their rights in society and to transform into their role that can be played as citizens of the future society. If there are such legal obstacles, those obstacles should be removed.

“We as the Government should not hesitate to make and implement the necessary decisions in that regard.

“The private sector makes a considerable contribution from their income for the benefit of children. I am thankful for that.

“We have to make decisions on behalf of about five million children. There are a large number of children who drop out of school. However, we are only talking about the kids who pass and fail in examinations.

“We are working to actively support the Minister’s efforts to further strengthen necessary statutes including child protection laws.

“There is no children’s cinema in our country. We should build one. There is no need for big film halls. We are ready to support such a project together with the Prime Minister’s Office and Provincial Councils. By doing so, we can open the door to another avenue for children’s satisfaction.”

State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Geetha Kumarasinghe commented as follows: “Children’s Day is celebrated all over the world. Some question whether children are celebrated only on October 1. No. We protect children on all 365 days. We stand for our children.

“There is no proper concern over the pre-school. Pre-school is never considered seriously in Sri Lanka. Pre-schools can be opened in any place they want as they wish. We have changed that situation.

“School girls face a physical issue every month. Some do not go to school on those days. I request that the sanitary napkins needed by these children be provided for a small amount through the Education Department. Children in orphanages should be given vocational training. They cannot be thrown on the street as soon as they turn 18. There should be a plan in that regard.”

The event included programmes such as the issuance of a Children’s Day stamp, children’s programmes, evaluations, award of certificates and gifts. State Minister Shantha Bandara, Parliamentarian Jagath Kumara, Ministry Secretaries, heads of government and non-government institutions, local and foreign representatives and a large group of children participated in the event.

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