Speaking at a meeting on child protection held at the Office of the Opposition Leader today, Premadasa said that many observers have pointed out that thousands of child victims continue to wait for legal action and accountability. He questioned why the process of investigating these complaints and delivering justice has been delayed, urging the government to act without further postponement.
Premadasa also criticized the government's handling of the National Child Protection Policy. He noted that although the policy was introduced in 2019 with the expectation that it would be implemented by 2025, the current administration has reportedly decided to postpone its implementation until 2029. He argued that such a delay is inconsistent with the mandate the government received in 2024 to safeguard children and protect their rights.
The Opposition Leader further highlighted that around 4,000 child-related cases are currently pending before the courts, emphasizing that these cases should be heard and concluded without unnecessary delay. He pledged the opposition's full support for implementing the National Child Protection Policy within this year and called for the swift investigation of all 46,000 complaints.
Premadasa proposed the establishment of dedicated investigative units, strengthened legal mechanisms, and a special presidential task force to accelerate the delivery of justice for child victims.
He also reaffirmed the unconditional support of both himself and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) for measures aimed at protecting children's rights. Stressing that child protection should not become a political issue, Premadasa urged all parties to work together to ensure justice for victims and to implement a comprehensive national framework for child safety without delay.
