There is a notable rise in the cases of child abuse in the recent past due to the closure of schools, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Miyuru Chandradasa said.

Addressing a news briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau, he said the children whose parents are daily income earners became victims of child abuse owing to being lonely at homes becoming unsafe.

"If they had the opportunity to go to schools, they would have been looked after by teachers. However, the children were deprived of the opportunity to go to schools because of the pandemic," he added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chandradasa said the conditions of depression, anxiety and screen addiction in children and adolescents have relatively increased by 20% in 2020/21 when compared to 2018/19, 

"The main reason for this is the loss of opportunity for them to go to schools and experience the academic activities," he 

"Children had to be confined to home for almost two years due to the pandemic and that is why the conditions of depression, anxiety and screen addiction in them happened to rise. It is a great challenge to both the health and education sectors," he explained.

Against this backdrop, the Specialist said it is good that the schools are being reopened; if it had been dragged further, we all have to face grave consequences for years to come. (Sheain Fernandopulle)