31 July 2020 12:00 am
By Indika Sri Aravinda
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has decided to introduce strict guidelines on the use of children for television reality shows, commercials, and voicing of TV commercials.
Chairman of NCPA Professor Muditha Vidanapathirana said that a Gazette notification will be issued in future prohibiting the use of children under the age of 13 for television reality shows.
Vidanapathirana said that all television channels in Sri Lanka will be required to adhere to the guidelines, while legal action will be taken against the channels that fail to comply.
The National Child Protection Authority has received a number of complaints on the abuse of children used for television reality shows.
Professor Muditha Vidanapathirana said continuous discussions have been held with the Ministry of Mass Media in this regard and the drafting of the guidelines have reached the last phase.
A proposal has also been put forward to amend the laws allowing the use of children below the age of three for commercials and to increase the age limit to 13 and above as per international standards.