CRITICAL NEED FOR CHILD SAFETY: PM Harini Amarasuriya Pushes for Urgent Introduction of Sexual Education
By Lions Roar News Sri Lanka Correspondent
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA — Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has issued a strong public statement emphasizing the critical need to implement comprehensive sexual education in Sri Lanka’s school curriculum, citing the alarming rise in sexual abuse faced by children across the country. The Prime Minister underscored that providing children with essential knowledge about their bodies and how to protect themselves is an indispensable measure against this grave social issue.
Speaking on Monday, November 10, 2025, Prime Minister Amarasuriya highlighted that the urgent necessity for this education has been consistently raised by medical and health authorities, who view it as a vital defensive tool for children.
“Given the serious increase in sexual abuse cases involving children in this country, it is imperative that we provide them with the knowledge necessary to understand their bodies and how to ensure their own protection,” the Prime Minister stated.
Acknowledging Current Efforts and Expert Consensus
The Prime Minister confirmed that steps have already been taken to address foundational health literacy. She noted that a special health module has been introduced into the Grade 6 curriculum. This module, she explained, is age-appropriate and designed to give children a basic understanding of maintaining physical health and hygiene.
However, the scope of this existing module is deemed insufficient to combat the growing crisis of sexual abuse. Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed that specialist doctors from the Family Health Bureau and the Ministry of Health have continually stressed the importance of dedicated sexual education.
The Premier acknowledged the consensus among experts that as the trend of child sexual abuse continues to grow daily, educating children to identify and protect themselves from dangerous situations has become absolutely essential. Furthermore, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has officially recognized the problem as a serious social crisis requiring immediate, systemic attention.
Inter-Ministerial Consultations and Next Steps
To move forward with a unified national strategy, the Prime Minister revealed that active discussions are currently underway with all relevant ministries and authorities. These consultations are aimed at gathering recommendations and formulating a cohesive plan that incorporates expert advice from all stakeholders.
Despite the urgency of the matter, the Prime Minister was careful to manage expectations, stating that no final decision has yet been made regarding the specific parameters of the new education, including:
- The delivery method: How the education will be taught.
- The target age groups: Which specific grades will receive the content.
- The timeline: When the program will be officially launched.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed that all final decisions regarding the curriculum will be based strictly on expert guidance provided by health sector specialists. This advice will focus on ensuring the content is age-appropriate and equips children with the necessary knowledge to protect themselves as they navigate their physical changes and development.
This move marks a significant political commitment to address a social issue that has long been subject to cultural sensitivities and political avoidance in Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister’s emphasis on expert-driven, age-appropriate content suggests an attempt to build a consensus that overrides traditional opposition, placing the child’s safety and well-being at the absolute centre of the national curriculum policy.
The nation now awaits the outcome of these crucial inter-ministerial discussions, which will determine the timetable and specific content of what could be one of the most significant changes to Sri Lanka’s education policy in decades.
