Sri Lanka, June 12 -- The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) says it received 516 complaints related to child labour and child exploitation in the first part of 2025. Most of these cases are about children being forced to beg.

In a statement marking the International Day Against Child Labour, observed on June 12, the NCPA said it received 287 complaints about children being used for begging, 173 complaints about child labour, and 53 complaints about child trafficking.

The NCPA said using children for begging is a serious crime. It warned that parents, guardians, and others who force children into begging can be jailed or fined under Section 288 of the Penal Code.

The Authority also said child labour takes away children's child...