Sri Lanka Child Welfare Crisis: 103 Children Orphaned Due to ‘Ditwa’ Incidents; Minister Vows Protection
By Diyatha News New Zealand International Desk
BADULLA, SRI LANKA — Saturday, February 7, 2026 — In a heart-wrenching disclosure, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, revealed that 103 children in the country have lost either one or both parents due to incidents categorized as ‘Ditwa’.
Speaking at a special program held at the Badulla District Secretariat Auditorium on Friday (February 6), the Minister detailed a deteriorating safety landscape for children, particularly in the Badulla and Polonnaruwa districts.
1. Presidential Intervention for Orphaned Children
Following the identification of the 103 children orphaned by these tragic circumstances, Minister Paulraj announced that a dedicated program is being launched under the direct instructions of the President.
- Adoption and Care: The Minister noted that many citizens have come forward wishing to care for these children.
- Legal Framework: She emphasized that all caretaking and adoption processes will strictly follow legal procedures and remain subject to court orders to ensure the long-term safety and security of the minors.
2. Badulla District: A Surge in Abuse and Cyber Violence
The Minister highlighted several alarming trends specifically affecting the Badulla district:
- Parental Violence: Badulla currently records the highest number of incidents where parents are found physically assaulting their own children.
- Cyber Violence: A “new trend” of rising cyber violence has been identified in the region, posing fresh challenges for local authorities.
- Teenage Pregnancy: The district is seeing an increase in teenage pregnancies, but the Minister noted a severe lack of proper facilities to provide shelter and care for young women facing these situations.
3. National Crime Hotspots
While Badulla faces significant challenges, Minister Paulraj pointed out that the highest rate of child-related crimes in Sri Lanka is currently recorded in the Welikanda area of the Polonnaruwa district.
The government is reportedly looking into district-specific strategies to combat these localized crime surges, with a focus on increasing the number of safe houses and strengthening the presence of child protection officers.
4. Government Commitment
The Minister reiterated that the state regards the protection of children as a top priority. She vowed that the new program would not only provide immediate shelter but would focus on the “future security” of affected children to break the cycle of violence and abandonment.
