Preschool children waving Japanese and Sri Lankan flags at the opening of the Child Development Center in Kandy on November 8. The facility comes under the administration of Child Action Lanka and is funded by the Japanese Government. 

Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki said “20% of Kandy’s children are suffering from poverty and that it has become a barrier to children’s education” when he spoke at the opening of the new Child Development Center, Katukele, Kandy on November 8. 

He also said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children are suffering from malnutrition and poverty. Hideaki praised Child Action Lanka for contributing immensely during hard times. Child Action Lanka Director Pastor Dilshan Edirisinghe said, “Child Action Lanka looks after children and mothers who are on the streets and they are provided with shelter and education”.

The project is based on improving facilities at support centers for vulnerable children, youth and women in Kandy District. The Ambassador said, “children will be developed and receive benefits through the Child Development Center. The centre is also focusing on protecting the rights of children and women, strengthening their independence and ensuring equality to everybody. The activities associated with these goals are mainly conducted through the Child Development Center Kandy”. 

Hideaki said, “The Grant Assistant for Grassroot Human Security Project (GGP) in Japan helps in funding Child Action Lanka”. Meanwhile Child Action Lanka conveyed its appreciation for the commitment and the vision of the Japanese Government. It also maintained that as a result of the funding done by the Japanese Government, the capacity of the Development center has increased. As a result, the center was provided with an IT lab, a library, an Auditorium and a preschool. Child Action Lanka Director Pastor Edirisinghe also recalled the help given by Rotary Club of Kandy and Lions Club of Kandy. Child Action Lanka operates through 9 centers and the towns chosen for this task are Akkarayan, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo, Kelaniya, Galle and Kandy.   
Pastor Edirisinghe said that Child Action Lanka is supporting its cause through four pillars which are education, child protection, sustainability and nutrition. He added, “Child Action Lanka is ready to voice for vulnerable children and support mothers engaged in legal battles. Child Action Lanka will focus on improving their skills so that they can pursue commercial ventures; hence the mothers could earn their own money”. 

The pastor also said that the organization speaks on behalf of battling mothers with the help of the police. He also declared that the organization functions to stop children from loitering while their parents are at work. In fact, education is provided to the children. He added that the Child Development Center is the home for street children.  
Child Action Lanka welcomes donations and those interested in becoming donors are expected to visit https://www.childactionlanka.org/ following which they will be directed to a volunteer coordinator. 

Child Action Lanka Director Pastor Dilshan Edirisinghe (right) presents a souvenir to  Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki on the day the Child Development Center was opened in Kandy
Pictures: Sandaruwan Pasindu Karunarathne