The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer is as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Total 1,026.

¶ 03 (ii) As a result of such abuse and violence, 425 school dropouts and 6 suicides have been reported.

¶ 04 (iii) and (iv) Measures include: - Implementing and strengthening counselling programmes in schools. - Activating attendance committees under the Compulsory Education Regulations to ensure non-attending children are brought back to school. - Raising teacher awareness on professional ethics during induction training for teachers and principals. - Organizing provincial-level awareness programmes for principals and teachers with NGOs such as “Search for Common Ground” and the National Child Protection Authority. - Assigning the Department of Probation and Child Care Services to monitor. - Coordinating with the Department of Social Services, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, and Sri Lanka Police to identify risks early and to guide parents/adults on appropriate responses, ensuring parties facing abuse/violence are promptly referred into the legal process. - Conducting awareness for school communities on child abuse and violence, and informing students and principals about immediate actions to be taken when incidents occur. - Ensuring punishments related to child abuse and exploitation are implemented promptly and properly. - Informing parents about violence occurring in schools and implementing programmes to build strong parent–child relationships, as well as regularizing school counselling services.

¶ 05 In addition, the Ministry previously issued Circular No. 12/2016 dated 2016.04.29 on maintaining discipline in schools. A new Circular No. 11/2026 dated 2026.03.30 has been issued, again emphasizing the Supreme Court ruling in FR 461/2012: No child may be subjected to any physical or mental harm as a form of punishment or for any other reason; no form of corporal punishment is permitted at any level, and offenders will be dealt with according to law.

¶ 06 Furthermore, as many institutions are involved, last year we appointed Prof. Asvini Fernando and Prof. Gamila Samarasinghe to study structural issues and report. Based on their report to strengthen the system, we have prepared a common action plan and are working with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

¶ 07 (b) Not applicable.