The President was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the National Program “Let’s Protect Children” held yesterday (9th Sept.) at the Provincial Sports Complex Digana, Kandy.

The program was implemented according to a concept of the President to protect children and create a better environment conducive to their physical and mental development.

Ending domestic violence against children, stopping child abuse, preventing using children for unlawful activities and prevent labour exploitation are among the main objectives of this national program.  

Under this program of counseling, legal consultation, entertaining complaints as well as public awareness – raising will be conducted. The project is scheduled to be implemented within the next two years in Island-wide at provincial and district level.

Speaking further, the President stated that every citizen including religious leaders, politicians, government officers should get together to make this national program successful.

The President, recalling the most inhuman incidents including the brutal assassination of the student Vidya, emphasized there should be a comprehensive program to ensure the security of the children in schools, on roads and at homes.

Let’s Protect Children National Plan 2017-2019 was presented to the President by the Additional Secretary to the President Rohana Keerthi Dissanayake.

Minister of Labour, Trade Union Relations and Sabaragamuwa Development W. D. J. Senevirathne presented the ‘National Policy on Alleviating Child Labour from Sri Lanka’ to the President.

President Sirisena presented the documents on financial allocations to develop the access roads for the schools of disabled children and to increase other facilities.

The book ‘Anagathaya Dinana Daruwo’ (The Children, win the future) was presented to the President at this occasion.