The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) yesterday (6) revealed that 11,409 complaints related to corporal punishment had been reported to the Authority by 28 February this year.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Department of Government Information, NCPA Director (Planning and Information) Shanika Malalgoda urged the public to promptly report any incidents of child abuse or corporal punishment.
The NCPA also noted that more than 10,000 complaints were recorded in 2025, with a total of 10,455 complaints received during the year. Of these, 2,099 were related to cruelty against children.
Malalgoda emphasised that complaints could be made free of charge via the child helpline 1929, and encouraged the public to report incidents at any time.
Addressing the same briefing, NCPA Head of Legal and Director (Legal), Preethika Sakalasooriya outlined a series of recommendations to amend the Penal Code as part of efforts to prevent corporal punishment.
She stated that Section 308A of the Penal Code, which deals with child cruelty, is to be amended by replacing the word “wilfully” with “intentionally” in defining the mental element of the offence.
The Authority has also proposed the introduction of a new provision titled “Corporal Punishment in Respect of Children”, which seeks to prohibit the use of physical force that causes pain or discomfort, whether as punishment or correction. It also covers non-physical acts intended to cause humiliation, regardless of severity.
Under the proposed provisions, such offences would be punishable by imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine of up to Rs. 10,000.
Sakalasooriya further noted that amendments have been recommended to Sections 314 and 316 of the Penal Code, which deal with causing hurt. In cases involving children, penalties could be increased from two years’ imprisonment to up to 10 years, particularly where serious injury is caused.
In addition, the Authority has proposed amendments to Section 82, which currently provides for corporal punishment administered in good faith.