Sri Lanka yesterday (17) signed a letter of intent to join the Global Charter on Children's Care Reform. The Women and Child Affairs Minister, Saroja Savithri Paulraj signed the letter during the visit to Colombo by the UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who launched the Global Charter early last year. The signing took place at the United Nations (UN) compound, Colombo.
The Charter seeks to strengthen families, prevent unnecessary separation, ensure safe family-based care, and end the use of institutions for children's care worldwide.
Lammy said: “The UK is working with countries across the world to spearhead the urgent and united action that is needed to fundamentally improve children’s care and transform the lives of vulnerable children. Today, Sri Lanka has taken meaningful steps towards that shared goal – joining us on our mission to ensure that every child has the chance to grow up in a safe and supportive family environment. I was proud to be here in Colombo today to progress this vital agenda with Paulraj. Preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families, ensuring the provision of safe, family-based care and ending the use of institutions the world over have the power to change lives, restore hope and give our next generations the opportunity to thrive.”
Sri Lanka has long been a State Party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The said Global Charter has been developed based on existing international commitments, including the 2009 UN General Assembly (GA) Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, the 2019 UN GA resolution focusing on the rights of children without parental care, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Guidelines on deinstitutionalisation, including in emergencies, the 2022 Kigali Declaration of Commonwealth States, and the 2024 First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children. To date, 34 countries have endorsed this Charter. Sri Lanka is the first South Asian nation to do so.
Also, Lammy met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss economic cooperation, reconciliation, and humanitarian priorities, including the UK's ongoing support to communities affected by cyclone Ditwah. He also met with the Opposition Leader, Tamil political leaders and the civil society.
PHOTO Ishan Sanjeewa