The Universal Children’s Day celebrations was held at the BMICH on November 20 themed ‘The world we want’ - Through the eyes of the child. Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Special Assignments represented the President at the function, organised by the civil society organisation, Protecting Environment and Children Everywhere.
Dr. Amunugama thanked the organisation for the work they had been doing for children’s welfare. He said the President has set up a Task Force to look into issues concerning children. The minister said that while Sri Lanka had successfully attained the goals relating to children in the global Millennium Development Goals, it has to be noted that children were among those who suffered most in the war which ended few years ago.
Dr. Amunugama pointed out that the lesson that must be learnt is that we must strive to maintain ethnic amity at all times and thus avoid a war situation emerging ever again. The minister also mentioned that while we promote economic development which is a necessity we must also be sensitive to the needs of those who are marginalized in this process as well as those who are adversely affected.
He said that children are such a vulnerable group particularly in the context of the development of tourism which on the other hand happens to be a money spinner for the country.
He said that in such a situation it would be helpful if civil society organizations look after individual cases of distress while the government concerns itself with policy issues and action needed to be taken in general. In this connection the minister particularly commended the good work which the organizers of the event had been doing.