🛑 Call for Legislative Reform: Ending Corporal Punishment in Sri Lanka

An open letter addressed to the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, highlights critical gaps in child protection despite recent administrative progress. • Policy vs. Law: While the Ministry of Education issued Circular 11/2026 banning corporal punishment in schools, advocates emphasize that administrative bans are insufficient. They urge the government to close legal loopholes by formally amending national legislation. • Unmet Global Commitments: Sri Lanka pledged four key actions at the 2024 Global Ministerial Conference in Bogotá. Two specific targets—banning corporal punishment by law and implementing positive discipline training for teachers—remain unfulfilled beyond their mid-2025 deadlines. • Social & Economic Impact: Citing a 2025 WHO report, the appeal notes that ending physical punishment is vital for long-term societal health. Legal reform is viewed as a foundational step for the education sector to ensure a safe environment for future generations. • Current Status: Based on the correspondence, the ban currently relies on provisional ministerial circulars rather than robust statutory protection, leaving children vulnerable to inconsistent enforcement.