According to the Police, recent complaints filed at various police stations reveal a deeply concerning sociological issue: a loss of love, care, and attention within families. Law enforcement notes that because parents are increasingly consumed by busy work schedules, they often fail to dedicate sufficient time to understand their daughters' daily routines, preferences, or emotional needs. This domestic emotional void frequently prompts young girls to seek affection, sympathy, and care from outsiders, leaving them highly vulnerable to exploitation.
The police warned that when parental bonds weaken, children increasingly turn to smartphones as their "best friend". This unsupervised digital isolation often serves as a primary gateway to exploitation. To mitigate these risks, authorities are urging parents to create an open and judgment-free home environment where daughters can fearlessly discuss their problems or report any inappropriate proposals they receive. Parents are also advised to provide unwavering love and affection, monitor their children's social media interactions, and step in with guidance or comforting conversation if they notice behavioral changes, a decline in academic performance, or secretive habits.
Beyond parental intervention, the Sri Lanka Police have also issued direct safety guidelines for young girls to protect themselves from predatory behavior. Children are urged to use social media with extreme caution, avoid trusting strangers encountered on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp, and strictly refrain from sharing personal information, photos, or videos. Furthermore, the police emphasized that if a child faces any problem, fear, or suspicion, she must not hide it; instead, she should immediately inform her parents, school principal, a teacher, or a trusted adult.
The Sri Lanka Police have requested the public to report any abuse, threats, or immediate danger to the nearest police station or via their emergency hotlines: 119, 118, 109, or 107.
