COLOMBO : Safeguarding the Lives of Children, the Nation’s Most Precious Asset, Is the
Government’s Responsibility. We Are Fulfilling That Responsibility,
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says while participating in
the launch of the “Diriyaata Saviyak” Housing Programme
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that, as children are the nation’s most precious asset,
safeguarding their lives is the responsibility of a responsible Government.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that, under the “Diriyaata Saviyak” Housing
Programme, Rs. 1 million was provided last year to support the construction of a secure home for
children who have grown up in Child Development Centres and that this amount had been increased
to Rs. 2 million this year. He further stated that the Government was prepared to allocate additional
funds if the amount proved insufficient.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while participating in the launch of the
“Diriyaata Saviyak” Housing Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child
Affairs, this afternoon (17) at the Presidential Secretariat.
Under the programme, a housing assistance grant of Rs. 2 million is provided to support the
construction of homes for young men and women over the age of 18 who have transitioned into
society from Child Development Centres, as well as children identified as being in vulnerable and
high-risk situations. The financial assistance was presented today to beneficiaries from the Western
Province.
Commenting further, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated:
The “Diriyaata Saviyak” programme marks the beginning of an important initiative in a vital area of
our country. Children are the nation’s most precious asset. In our country, there are children who
grow up under the care of their parents. Some grow up under the care of their grandparents, while
others are raised in Child Development Centres. In this way, our children grow up in different
settings. Regardless of where or under what circumstances they live, they are all our children.
There is a bond between parents and their children. Parents strive to improve their children’s lives
and protect them. Similarly, there is a relationship between society and children. Society always
seeks to provide children with proper care and protection. There is also a bond between the
Government and children.
The Government takes measures to provide care and protection for children, meet their needs and
create an appropriate environment for their well-being. This is a responsibility of the Government.
Although these bonds remain strong from a cultural perspective, children still face circumstances
that we would never wish to see. This means that we have not yet succeeded in providing children
with complete protection or in creating an environment conducive to their well-being and
development. Society, the State and parents all bear a significant responsibility for protecting
children. We do not believe that any child should grow up in an unsafe environment or without love
and care. It is our responsibility to create an environment in which every child can live safely and
with dignity, and to ensure their protection.
Although child labour has been prohibited since 1956, the implementation of measures to address it
was fully completed only in 1998. However, children’s lives have not been placed at risk solely
through child labour. They have faced hardship and insecurity in many other areas as well.
Therefore, we must take further measures across a range of areas to ensure the safety and protection
of children.
Through today’s programme, we seek to address one aspect of this responsibility: ensuring the well-
being and security of young men and women who leave Child Development Centres and transition
into society, as well as children living in unsafe housing conditions. We have encountered children
who do not know their own date of birth or even their surname. Every parent has dreams for their
children. But who dreams for these children? Depending on their financial means, parents build
homes and create a future for their children. But who will build homes and create secure living
conditions for the children who grow up in these centres? That is the responsibility we are seeking
to fulfil through this programme. It is our responsibility.
With the intention of ensuring that children leaving Child Development Centres have some
financial savings and an asset of their own when they enter society, we have launched a programme
to open a bank account for every child in these centres and deposit Rs. 5,000 into each account
every month. There have been certain difficulties in opening accounts for some children.
Nevertheless, we are implementing this programme. We have also decided to provide a home for
young people who have reached the age of 18 and transitioned into society, enabling them to secure
their future. At the same time, it is our responsibility to protect children living in unsafe housing
conditions. In some cases, children are placed at risk simply because the available space in their
homes is inadequate.
Accordingly, last year we provided Rs. 1 million towards a secure home, which was identified as
one of their key needs. As it was found that this amount was insufficient, we increased the
allocation to Rs. 2 million this year. If that too is insufficient, we are prepared to allocate further
funds. This is because ensuring the future of our children is our responsibility.
