“It is the responsibility of adults to protect the children’s world while preventing harm to them,” President Maithripala Sirisena pointed out this while emphasizing the need to introduce a national policy without any hesitation, towards the protection and well-being of the children.
He made these remarks during a special discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (17) with the relevant officials regarding the National Child Protection program (2017-2019).
The present government has paid special attention to the safety and well being of the children and also a Special Presidential Task Force has been established under the direction of the President in this regard and it is one of the five Presidential Task Forces functioning under the supervision of the Presidential Secretariat.
During the discussion, the methods of handling court proceedings in relation to the children were discussed and the President pointed out the necessity of expediting the court cases regarding children without damaging their minds.
The issues of child abuse prevention, ensuring safety of children, development of health, nutrition and well-being, personality development, education and life skills development were discussed at length at this meeting under the National Child Protection Program (2017-2019).
Representatives of children’s organizations, including Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Secretary to the President, Mr. P. B. Abeykoon, Acting Attorney General and Inspector General of Police participated.
Meanwhile, the distinctive attention of the President has been drawn to a special child who is vulnerable to interrupt his education due to facing legal issues. It was the school student who hacked the official website of the President entering illegally to the website.
The President invited him to the Presidential Secretariat yesterday and inquired into the well-being of him.
President Sirisena also presented a special gift to the student and conveyed his blessings for his future education endeavors.
The child said that he is using an assembled computer by his own and he also stated the housing issue faced by him and his family members, to the President.
The child has given a three year probation period under the care of his parents, and the President drew his special attention in expediting the court process and creating an environment for him to achieve success in his education.