The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said that over 8,000 complaints related to children have been reported from across the country. NCPA official Nilanthi Pushpakumari said the aim of Sri Lanka’s National Child Protection Policy is to establish a national framework to ensure the safety and protection of every child in the country. She noted that the policy serves as a foundation for legal, social, and institutional reforms required to create a safe environment for children. While Sri Lanka has mechanisms through both government and non-governmental institutions to respond to child rights violations, she said that a lack of coordination and proper implementation remains a major obstacle. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) also contributes to safeguarding children’s rights globally and locally. Officials further highlighted that nearly 100,000 nude photos of children have been found on various websites across different countries on the dark web and deep web. The NCPA emphasized that every child must be protected from harm, violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect, while ensuring their overall safety and well-being.
