Sri Lanka, April 21 -- It may feel as though some parents are turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to their own children. If that is the case, there is little point in pointing fingers at others. We need to remind ourselves of one simple truth: protection is a child's right, and safeguarding that right is the duty of parents, teachers, caregivers, and society at large. Every child deserves to be protected. No ifs, ands, or buts.

In 2025, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) recorded over 10,455 child abuse complaints. Among these were 545 cases of sexual harassment, 231 incidents of sexual abuse, 150 cases of cyber abuse, and 79 teenage pregnancies. The NCPA also reported nine child marriages, 20 suicide attempts, and 54 cases of...