Sri Lanka, Sept. 30 -- As World Children's Day approaches tomorrow (1), alarming data reveals that 39 children under the age of 5 are currently being held in prisons with their mothers across the country.

These children are housed across ten different prisons due to various offenses committed by their mothers.

Prisons Media Spokesperson and Commissioner of Prisons, Jagath Weerasinghe, reported that among the 39 children, there are 17 boys and 22 girls.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that approximately 500 patients receiving residential care at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Angoda are unable to leave because they lack guardians.

Senior Psychiatrist Dr. Pushpa Ranasinghe stated that the mental health condition of these ...