The event was held under the patronage of Minister of Women and Chidren Affairs Ms.Chandrani Bandara and State Minister Ms.Vijayakala Maheshwaran.
Initially, a souvenir was presented and the Children's Day flag was pinned on to the Ministers.
The key note speech was delivered by the Jaffna Teaching Hospital's Consultant Psychiatrist Dr.S.Sivayogan.
Addressing the ceremony Minister Chandrani Bandara said out of Sri Lanka's total population 33.35% are children and 1/5th of them are living in poverty.
"Children living in poverty are deprived of nutrition, water and sanitation, access to basic healthcare services, shelter, education, participation and protection, and that while a severe lack of goods and services hurts every human being, it is most threatening and harmful to children, leaving them unable to enjoy their rights to reach their full potential and to participate as full members of the society", the Minister stressed.
This situation needs special attention, said the Minister and urged all to join hands in providing them a healthier life, as this cannot be done by the Ministry alone.
She also said that parents should allocate more time and pay attention on their children. The children should be provided with a sound education and it is the responsibility of parents to provide them nutrition. She pointed out that providing proper attention to children will not pave the way in future for tragedies like Seya's or Vindya's.
During the ceremony awards and certificates were presented by Ministers Bandara and Maheshwaran to the winners of the Art and Poster Competition "Parikalpana" held parallel to World Children's Day.
Indian Deputy High Commissioner A.Natarajan, Ministry Secretary Chandrani Senerathne, chairman of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Natasha Balendran, Director of the Children's Secreatariat Chandima Sigera, Jaffna District Secretary N.Vedanayagam and a large number of school children participated in the ceremony.
