Child Action Lanka: Transforming Lives on Sri Lanka’s East Coast

The Right to Participate: A Child Rights Awareness Workshop in progress

Children from the Batticaloa CDC presented their Child Rights Declaration to Nifal Alawdeen, UNICEF Education Officer, who accepted it on behalf of UNICEF Sri Lanka 

Child Action Lanka (CAL) is dedicated to improving the lives of children in Sri Lanka through its alternative care centres. Operating nationwide, CAL focuses on creating a brighter future for underprivileged children by providing access to education, child protection, essential health and nutrition support. In addition, CAL extends its assistance to women affected by domestic abuse, ensuring a holistic, community-based approach to sustainable development.

One of CAL’s most impactful initiatives on the East Coast is the Batticaloa Child Development Centre (CDC)—a long-standing project established in 2012. Initially structured as a network of satellite centres serving five rural communities, the model evolved when CAL, in collaboration with Tonbridge School in England, built a central hub. This facility now provides children with a safe space to learn, play, and receive nutritious meals. Over the years, the centre has expanded to include a modern IT lab and library, significantly enhancing educational opportunities for local children.

In 2024, CAL launched its Child Rights Awareness Programme in Batticaloa, with a strong focus on “The Right to Participate”. This initiative empowered children to understand their rights and advocate for better living conditions, highlighting critical issues such as access to clean water, safe transportation, and quality education. As a result, the children of Batticaloa formally presented their Child Rights Declaration to Nifal Alawdeen, UNICEF Education Officer in Trincomalee, urging policymakers to address these pressing challenges.

This was just the beginning. Since its launch, the programme has expanded to seven other districts across Sri Lanka, nurturing a new generation of young advocates for child rights. These passionate voices will unite in Colombo in April 2025 for the inaugural Child Rights Council, initiated by CAL, marking a significant milestone in child-led advocacy in Sri Lanka.

One of the most urgent concerns raised by the children of Batticaloa was the lack of access to clean water. In response, CAL, in partnership with Tonbridge School, launched the “Water for All” project to provide a sustainable water resource at the Batticaloa CDC. This initiative now serves not only the children at the centre but also families in the surrounding communities, offering a vital solution to a long-standing issue.

Projects like these have made CAL centres—especially the Batticaloa CDC—a beacon of hope for communities in need. By empowering children, advocating for their rights, and addressing fundamental challenges, CAL continues to transform lives and create lasting change in Sri Lanka.

For those interested in supporting CAL’s mission, there are opportunities to donate or volunteer. Visit www.childactionlanka.org or connect with them on Facebook and Instagram (@childactionlanka) to learn more. Donations can also be made at www.childactionlanka.charity.