Child abuse cases rise, warns HRCSL

Colombo, Oct. 16 (Daily Mirror) - The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has raised alarm over an increase in reports of child rights violations, particularly cases of corporal punishment,

The HRCSL warned that such practices cause lasting emotional harm and, in some cases, have led to severe trauma and suicide.

"Sri Lanka’s legal framework already provides strong protections for children through the Children and Young Persons Ordinance, the Penal Code, and Article 11 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Corporal punishment, whether in homes, schools, alternative care facilities, or justice institutions, violates these protections, the Commission said.

The HRCSL emphasised that the reform effort should be seen as part of a broader collective commitment to abolish corporal punishment in all settings. “Discipline is important,” it said, “but it should be based on positive and respectful approaches that build children’s dignity and confidence, not on fear or violence.”

The Commission also urged the public to engage in informed and respectful dialogue on the proposed reforms, cautioning against misinformation or negative campaigns that could undermine child protection.

“At the centre of this issue is the principle of the best interest of the child,” the HRCSL said. “Protecting children from harm is both a legal duty and a moral obligation. Abolishing corporal punishment is not about weakening parental or teachers’ authority—it is about ensuring that discipline is safe, constructive, and non-violent.”

The HRCSL called on families, educators, policymakers, and society at large to work together to end corporal punishment and promote positive, rights-based approaches to child development.

In response to growing concern, the government gazetted the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill on July 4, 2025, seeking to prohibit all forms of cruel, degrading, and harmful punishment—both physical and non-physical—against anyone under the age of 18.