The Government has announced a series of key initiatives to tackle the low rate of formal complaints received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), focusing on tighter regulation of media coverage and social media activity to safeguard the identities of child victims, Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing, Dr. Jayatissa highlighted concerns that many cases of child abuse and violence are not formally reported through official channels despite the NCPA’s 24-hour complaint services.
The government plans to establish a Standing National Committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Women and Child Affairs Ministry, with representatives from multiple relevant agencies to oversee child protection efforts.
Additional measures include proposed amendments to the Penal and Criminal Codes to outlaw physical punishment of children and improve reporting mechanisms for all forms of abuse and violence.
Dr. Jayatissa also emphasized ongoing efforts to draft a media ethics framework that will prevent repeated harassment of child victims through irresponsible reporting.
These initiatives align with the national policy “A Safe World for Children – A Creative Future Generation,” approved by Cabinet in March 2025, which prioritizes child safety and involves coordination among ministries including Women and Child Affairs, Health, Mass Media, Education, Justice, and the Police.
Furthermore, the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses, the Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organisations, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission will be engaged to regulate the conduct of the media and social media in order to protect the identity of child victims.
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