The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, since this morning we have discussed many views, proposals and areas for amendment in relation to the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill.

¶ 02 Before I begin, let me recall that when we took office, the people entrusted us with three priorities: stabilizing a bankrupt economy; governing with fiscal discipline; and upholding the rule of law. Therefore, to protect the rule of law, we must act. Not all old laws are bad—we have many laws and we follow many—but where there are gaps and where laws fail to deliver a just society, we have the mandate to amend them. The people have conferred sovereign authority upon us through their vote; we must not stand still.

¶ 03 Debate may be contentious. Today, the Opposition’s main argument has been that this Bill targets teachers, as if we are crafting a law to “go after” teachers. They tried to amplify that claim. In truth, the Bill contains two principal elements: first, insertion of section 308B to prohibit cruel and degrading corporal or non-physical punishment of children; and second, insertion of new sections 314A and 316A to enhance penalties for intentional and grievous harm against a child. These two core elements deserve attention.

¶ 04 We must analyze with data. According to statistics of the Department of Census and Statistics and Sri Lanka Police, in 2023 there were 2,988 minor child offences and 3,126 grave child offences—totalling 6,114 offences relating to children. By October 2024 there were 2,622 minor and 2,708 grave offences—5,330 in total—these are only reported cases; unreported injustices remain unknown. We are not bringing amendments to isolate and oppress any group. Here the child is central: a person under 18 who cannot make decisions alone and depends on the love, care and guidance of others. This is not work of our Ministry of Women and Child Affairs alone; it is a collective effort of all of us in the National People’s Power. The Minister presents this as an expression of our collective attempt to secure the best interests of the child. It should not be personalized to praise or attack the Minister. We speak for the child’s best interests. Hence the statistics I presented.

¶ 05 According to an NCPA report on violence against children, from 1 January to 31 July 2025 there were 1,126 complaints received—these are only those reported. We are not only speaking of teachers; it could be any caregiver, an institution, a preschool, a school, parents or any adult—under no circumstance should a child be subjected to cruel, inhuman treatment or violence, physical or otherwise. We believe that.

¶ 06 Since morning there has been confusion between admonition and humiliation. As lawmakers we should be able to distinguish them and not pretend we cannot. Our mothers once said “the bogeyman will come” to coax us to eat; some lovingly pointed to the moon and sang. These are small examples. To guide a child on the right path, punishment is not essential. If a country functions merely out of fear of punishment, we cannot justify that. We need a society built on good, creative habits and thinking. Many teachers whom we revere today did not shape us through inhuman punishment. There may be a few outliers—but we are not beasts, and children are not animals.

¶ 07 A previous speaker read an illustration from this Bill concerning a child being humiliated at a school assembly. This Bill is about children—not about us in Parliament. Do not conflate the two. We do not accept any physical or non-physical violence against children. The world becomes better only if we stand up for what is right; that may be difficult and cause short-term discomfort, but that is the path.

¶ 08 We ask all, across party lines, to bring sound amendments, not to box this into narrow slogans. Let us work together to deliver the best for our children. With that request, I conclude.

¶ 09 Thank you.