Sri Lanka Focuses on the Initiatives to Ensure Children’s Rights at the 77th CRC Session

The unity government made efforts to assure the rights of the children at the 77th session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva on January 15.  According to the reports, the island nation is making their way towards the path of progress in protecting and promoting the rights of the child. During the opening speech at the review of the 5th and 6th periodic reports of Sri Lanka at the convention, Chandrani Senaratne, the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, and the Leader of the Sri Lanka Delegation remarked that the government is trying to safeguard the rights of the child and its two optional protocols.

The official also added that it was such a process that was very important to the government.  She also stated that ten multi-sectoral government agencies conduct the protection and promotion of child rights and their wellbeing.  The United Nations Committee reviewed the Rights of the Child after a long time of eight years on 15-16 January.  It is recommended to provide constitutional recognition to a series of key provisions regarding the Rights of the Children as depicted in CRC and its Optional Protocols.

Progressive state policies include various rights of the children including the idea of free and universal access to primary and secondary education and access to free healthcare. Following these policies, Sri Lanka is making significant progress in protection and promotion of the Rights of the Child.  She also emphasized the creation of viable child protection system and the support from the stakeholders and UNICEF to walk their path of progress.