President says participation of children at protests must be prohibited

President Ranil Wickremesinghe says the participation of children at public protests must be prohibited.

Stating that the laws of the country seek to protect children, he said, however, parents are bringing children to protests for vengeance, similar to what late LTTE Leader Prabhakaran did during the war.

“In the event, children are brought to protests, then the Police will have to be informed to prohibit such acts as this might result in even university students bringing children for their protests,” he said.

Reading excerpts from the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the President pointed out that, “the state shall promote with special care the interest of children and youth so as to ensure their full development physical, mental, moral, religious, and social, and to protect them from exploitation and discrimination.”

President Wickremesinghe further said the Attorney General’s advice must be obtained in this regard, if not it will result in an issue.

Questioning the delay in introducing a Child Rights Act, he further said that apart from the prohibition of children at public protests, stringent laws must also be introduced to prevent the sexual abuse of children in Sri Lanka.

The President made the observation during a special discussion on the protection of the Fundamental Rights of children, that was held at the Presidential Secretariat today (12).