Cabinet approves programme to curb child begging, hazardous labour

Colombo, June 25 (Daily Mirror) - The Cabinet has approved a new programme aimed at protecting children from exploitation, with strict enforcement measures set to take effect from July 1, 2025.

Under the Children’s Rights Ordinance, a child is defined as any person under the age of 18. Current statistics indicate that children make up 30% of Sri Lanka’s total population. 

However, a significant number are found engaging in street begging or informal trade—often due to human trafficking, poverty or parental coercion—leading to their categorisation as "street children."

The newly approved programme, submitted by the Minister of Child and Women’s Affairs, specifically prohibits the involvement of children under 16 in street begging and trading. It also bans the employment of children aged 16 to 18 in hazardous work environments, such as domestic labour.