Sri Lanka's Cabinet has greenlit accelerated work on comprehensive child protection legislation that will incorporate international standards and strengthen existing safeguards.
The Cabinet has given approval to fast-track the development of a new Child Rights Act designed to enhance protections for children across Sri Lanka. The legislation will incorporate safeguards outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child while building upon protections already established under current laws, according to government statements.
The initiative follows an earlier decision from February 2024 to prepare legislation initially titled the "Rights of Child Compact Act." The Cabinet has now approved a revised name—the "Child Rights Act"—along with an updated concept paper that includes additional areas identified for legislative coverage.
The Legal Draftsman's Department has already begun preliminary work on drafting the bill. The latest Cabinet approval authorises the department to proceed with and accelerate completion of the legislation based on the refined concept paper. The proposal was presented by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj.
