The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I move:

¶ 02 “In some densely populated urban and housing-complex environments, children spend daytime hours after school without proper protection, becoming vulnerable to abuse and to individuals involved in toxic drugs. As parents and guardians are away during the day, families practically lack a structured way to ensure child safety after school, and children suffer due to various environmental hazards and issues.

¶ 03 Therefore, to ensure child development and protection, day-time safe centres or after-school centres should be established within existing government institutions—coordinated by Child Development Officers and Probation Officers attached to Divisional Secretariats—integrating personality development and cultural programmes. A program and legal framework should be prepared to establish such safe centres within government institutions.”

¶ 04 The reason is clear: in Colombo and other districts, in high-density and estate-adjacent areas and housing complexes, children lack safe environments and become vulnerable to abuse and narcotics. After school, there is no safe place for them to stay. The state’s policy must be that no child is left behind and that a safe, loving environment is provided.

¶ 05 Some children live in high-risk settings—some without parents, others with all adults at work—leaving daytime safety gaps. Many become excessively attached to phones and lack guidance to channel time creatively. Therefore, government agencies must together design programs to support these children—with creative, cultural and musical activities—through centres established via Education, Women and Child Affairs, and other ministries, with Provincial Councils where needed. In my constituency, Dehiwala, many homes lack space and nearby safe areas; hence children are exposed to risks. Some exploit such children. Daytime protection would help parents collect children after work. We must build structured programs; Parliament should create the enabling program and legal framework. Thank you.