Today’s children are future world leaders: Protecting tomorrow’s leaders is a cardinal responsibility

Dr. Tush Wickramanayake in an email interview with Lasantha Mendis

"Record number of cases were reported during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown periods; highlighting the dangers in familiar surroundings and greater need for vigilance"

Following are excerpts from an email interview the writer conducted with Dr. Tush Wickrmanayaka, Founder Chairperson of the Stop Child Cruelty Trust (SCC) who was recently recognized as a Global End Violence Champion by the Global Forum for Children and Youth. The Forum convened by UNICEF is anticipated to be a most authoritative platform, and was attended by many world leaders and international activists. 

"Knowledge is power. Introduce compulsory sex education in the whole education system. Establish a Presidential Commission. Build a common State policy - Ranuja Pahalawela”

Q  What is the status quo regarding the protection given to children in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1991, yet child protection is a national crisis. In 2019 Sri Lanka Police declared that a child is sexually molested every two hours in our paradise island. Regrettably, out of the 196 countries that have signed the UNCRC, Sri Lanka is listed in the abysmal 10% of countries considered to be least safe for children. Whilst Sri Lanka is the only South Asian country committed to Sustainable Development Goal 16.2 (violence against children), the escalation of cases reported every year indicates that the state of child protection is at critically low ebb. For example, the authorities failed to protect seven children that were physically and sexually abused and murdered within the last fourteen months. 

A record number of cases were reported during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown periods; highlighting the dangers in familiar surroundings and greater need for vigilance. A study conducted by NCPA in 2017 shockingly revealed that 80% of students are subjected to at least one episode of physical punishment, 53% to physical abuse and 72.5% to verbal abuse in as short time as one school term. 

"Admit children to school only when they are seven years old. Till then they can be with their families playing and growing naturally - Pesandi Karunaratne"

Q  What initiatives has the SCC launched?

The SCC recently established Sri Lanka’s first Child Protection Alliance comprising twenty reputed non-governmental organisations (NGOs).  Additionally the SCC has done extensive advocacy work focusing on holding relevant authorities accountable, including an appeal to the President to ensure that the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) remains independent and free of political interference.

Each year, many events and projects are conducted to celebrate Children’s Day on the 1st of October. However, the SCC is of the opinion that child protection cannot limited to just projects and can only be realistically achieved through a sustained plan of action as per a national agenda focused on achievable goals and time lines.
With this in mind, an effort focused on specific goals pertaining to protection of children was recently launched; namely the “#Justanumber Child Protection Mega Month” commencing Children’s Day and going up to November 20 (which is the UN designated World Children’s Day)-

The culminating event of the #Just A Number Child Protection Month was conducted on November 18, 2021 as a virtual event hosted by the Stop Child Cruelty Trust (SCC). 
A Speech and Art Competition was conducted in connection to Children’s Day 2021. A key objective of this initiative was to get children, as young as 6 years and all the way up to 18 years, to share their own, unique perspective on the child protection crisis in Sri Lanka. The Speech and Art competition received an overwhelming number of submissions from across the country and it’s truly exciting to witness the enthusiasm and involvement of the children towards this cause. I want to extend my congratulations to the winners and all the participants for setting a great example for the new generation of Sri Lanka. 

The campaign’s core initiative was the speech competition titled; “If I were the President’s Advisor, how would I address the Child Protection Crisis?”, which focused on educating and empowering the youth across the country. The winners of the speech competition were Ranuja Pahalawela (Sinhala), M. T. M. Armas (Tamil), Pesandi Karunaratne (English) and Deneth Samarakone (Most Popular) participated remotely at the event and received awards. 

“Knowledge is power. Introduce compulsory sex education in the whole education system. Establish a Presidential Commission. Build a common State policy”, advised Ranuja Pahalawela. “Today’s children will become tomorrow’s world leaders. Establish special children’s courts. Provide their basic rights, needs and food”, called Armas. “Admit children to school only when they are seven years old. Till then they can be with their families playing and growing naturally. Teach them what they want to learn and what they are good at”, suggested Pesandi Karunaratna. “Even though organizations like the National Child Protection Authority, the Child Probation Authority and the Police Children and Women’s Bureau exist in Sri Lanka, why are children being harassed and abused?” questioned Deneth Samarakoon. As possible Presidential Advisors of the new generation, their powerful observations are inspirational and SCC hopes to submit these proposals to The President and Parliament. 

Dr.Nalaka Gunawardena - A well known writer and media analyst, lead the panel of judges of the speech competition. His words of wisdom to the young contestants included valuable advice on public speaking, to avoid shouting and aggressive gestures to prove a point.
Thanumi de Silva received First place in the Art competition, Sathini Weerasinghe and R Fathima received second and third places, respectively. 
Shymala Pinto Jayawardena - Principal of Shyamala School of Art and award winning artist, earnestly implored for the ban canes in schools and an end to violence against children.

"Today’s children will become tomorrow’s world leaders. Establish special children’s courts. Provide their basic rights, needs and food - M. T. M. Armas"

Q  We understand that the event featured several respected leaders in the field of child protection. What were their views on the subject?

Former President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga – the Chief Guest  at the event is a pioneer in implementing child protection legislation in Sri Lanka. She expressed grave concern over the seemingly misplaced notion that national security is achievable while ignoring protection 
of the child. 
Sidath Wettimuny, Patron of SCC and former Captain of the National Cricket Team -The keynote speaker, reflected on the then and now of childhood.
Christian Skooge, country representative of UNICEF - guest speaker, expressed concern regarding efforts (or lack thereof) to end corporal punishment in Sri Lanka. “Corporal punishment is widespread in Sri Lanka. 7/10 children are victims to violence against their bodies by parents and school teachers. It is unacceptable that although its use and its harm is well known it still remains legal in Sri Lanka”, insisted Skooge. 

"Even though organizations like the NCPA, CPA and the Police Children and Women’s Bureau exist, why are children being still harassed and abused? - Deneth Samarakoon"

Q  What are the other activities undertaken by SCC in connection to #justanumber Child Protection Mega Month?

During the intensive campaign SCC conducted weekly webinars focused on various aspects on child protection with variety of expert panelists. The objective of these forums was to hold relevant authorities accountable to deliver a holistic protection to children at risk. 
Public enthusiasm and participation was great during these webinars with support for compulsory sex education for all school children in order to empower them to detect and avoid situations that could lead to sexual abuse. Additionally there was a loud call for the two main trade unions; Ceylon Teachers Union and Ceylon Teacher Service Union; to unite to implement the Ministry of Education Circular No 12/2016 prohibiting corporal punishment in schools. 

Child protection is a collective social responsibility.  SCC will continue its collaborative efforts to build a self-governing ethical code of behavior in all citizens to safeguard and promote the rights of child abuse victims, while also preventing re-victimisation in the community. Those interested in getting involved towards the cause can visit the website at www.stopchildcruelty.com and the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stopchildcrueltyor email [email protected]. 
The Avanka Lanka Foundation would like to urge all readers to encourage activists and organisations known to them, that work tirelessly against Abuse of Women and Children, to join the District Networks that are being set up to END VIOLENCE AND ABUSE against Women and Children in their own Districts.
We will be able to save a life from being ruined TOMORROW if we come together TODAY!
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