Colombo (AsiaNews) – Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has announced two new measures to boost child protection during national celebrations of World Children's Day.
Government action is set to focus on protecting children from exploitation and abuse, as well as addressing new threats linked to the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
This initiative was unveiled during the National Week (25 September-1 October) marking World Children's Day, under the theme Mentally Strong, Children Empowered.
The first measure addresses child labour. Under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, the fine for employing children in hazardous activities has been raised from 10,000 to 100,000 Sri Lankan rupees.
This move aims to strengthen efforts to combat the economic exploitation of minors.
The second course of action is centred on the physical and emotional protection of children.
Amarasuriya emphasised the need to reinforce the regulatory framework and protection systems against cyberbullying, misleading content, and other pressures that can compromise the psychological well-being of youth.
The government is also working on reforms to prevent corporal punishment and psychological abuse, promoting educational and disciplinary methods that respect children's dignity.
The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is also focusing on online safety, urging parents and guardians to exercise greater caution when posting pictures and videos of their children on social media.
The rise of monetisation systems on digital platforms has fuelled an increase in content featuring children, sometimes without their consent, aimed at gaining popularity or generating income.
Such images and videos can be exploited by third parties for commercial purposes or manipulated using artificial intelligence to create obscene content.
Finally, authorities have highlighted the fight against the spread of drugs among young people as another key area of concern.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called for the development of a prevention system that directly involves parents, equipping them with the information and tools needed to spot early signs of drug use.
He also identified teachers and religious leaders as potential key figures, while stressing the need for them to receive specific training too.
