Children are our future, yet their safety remains alarmingly precarious. On Human Rights Day, iProbono, in collaboration with the Stop Child Cruelty Trust, delivered on our commitment to the rights and safety of children in Sri Lanka with the release of Children First: A Deep Dive into the National Child Protection Authority’s (NCPA) Role in Child Protection. This landmark report, authored by Shevindri Manuel and Ashvina Sinnetamby, highlights the urgent need to reform child protection systems in Sri Lanka.

A Decade of Data Reveals Disturbing Gaps 

This first of its kind report in Sri Lanka was driven by Dr. Tushara Wickramanayaka’s RTI request, supported by iProbono, which sought access to NCPA data from 2020 to 2022. This included crucial statistics on child abuse cases in Sri Lanka and annual reports which had not been updated or shared by the NCPA following the COVID -19 pandemic. A meticulous review of reports from 2018 to 2022, alongside the Auditor General’s findings, and statistical data published by the NCPA on child abuse from  2010 to 2022, revealed troubling gaps in the system meant to shield children from harm.

Key Findings and Urgent Recommendations

1. Impact Without Accountability: Each year, the NCPA  trains thousands of  stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and professionals. Yet no mechanisms exist to measure the real-world outcomes of these efforts. The report calls for a data driven approach with robust impact assessment to optimise these efforts and ensure that they truly safeguard children, while also showcasing their values to policymakers. 
2. The Need for Specialised Resources: Video evidence units, designed to protect children from courtroom trauma, are operational in just two locations and utilized in less than 1% of child abuse cases. Expanding these units nationwide and training more staff are critical next steps.
3. Data Discrepancies and Transparency Issues: Discrepancies in abuse reports highlight the need for improved data management and accountability measures to inspire public trust. In 2022, the NCPA reported 9,574 complaints of child abuse through its’ hotline, but its website stated 10,497, a discrepancy of 923 cases. This underscores the urgent need to ensure accuracy.

Time for Action
The NCPA is uniquely positioned to lead transformative change. With systemic reforms, adequate resources, and data-driven strategies, it can fulfill its mission to protect children from abuse and neglect.

Join us in demanding an independent, well-resourced, and accountable NCPA– because every child deserves safety, dignity, and the chance to thrive.

Read the full report and be a part of this change. Let’s put children first, always.