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Special needs national policy in the pipeline

20 Oct 2022

A national policy is to be formulated to ensure the wellbeing of children with special needs in Sri Lanka.  Views in this regard were expressed when the Parliamentary Children's Caucus met in Parliament on Tuesday (18) under the Chairmanship of Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Rohini Kumari Kavirathna Wijerathna. Further, it was decided to have extensive discussions with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and other affiliated institutions, the Children and Women’s Bureau, and representatives of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on the problems and proposals related to child care. The caucus also paid attention to various aspects related to children, including providing quality education to the entire child population, providing adequate healthcare, making the existing resources and officials more efficient, identifying situations where children can be abused and implementing the necessary measures beforehand, ensuring access to good nutrition, and creating opportunities for children to develop their potential. It was also emphasised at the meeting that it is essential to find separate solutions to the various problems faced by the children of rural, urban, and plantation parents.  Members of the caucus agreed to work with Government officials and non-Governmental organisations related to children while giving priority to the ideas and suggestions of Provincial Commissioners using new technology.  The members of the caucus who expressed their displeasure about the use of the media in situations related to children focused their attention on the need to create a proper programme and policy together with the relevant minister. In addition, the need to create an awareness programme on child malnutrition was also discussed.


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