1. Implementation of the recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

These programmes were conducted for the implementation of the recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission targeting the children of the people with a Tamil origin living in the estates and the children displaced as a result of the war that lasted for a long time. The primary objective of this programme was to create a safe childhood for the children living in these areas by ensuring their basic child rights. The activities included provision of facilities for children, establishing pleasure centers for them, holding art, music, dancing and sports events and conducting literacy classes for children who were illiterate. Financial allocations were made based on the requests received from the Divisional Secretariat Divisions.

Programmers are implemented at District S.D. and Divisional S.D. levels to raise awareness of those who were directly involved in war. Safety of children when away from home and facilities for improving knowledge and skills are provided. Children are fortunate to use the library and play indoor games and outdoor games here.

2. The UNICEF Project

The UNICEF Sri Lanka and the Department of Probation and Child Care Services has been carrying out a number of special programmes for so many years to ensure the safety of children. These programmes, which are implemented as annually submitted project proposals, aim at capacity development of the Child Rights Promotion Officers and technical aspects such as preparation of guidelines and formulation of policies. Accordingly, following activities have been completed to date:

• Introduction of the Case Management methodology and providing trainings to officers who work on child care
• Providing financial assistance to  Child Rights Promotion Officers to follow the Diploma in Child Care
• Conducting the research on The Status of the Institutionalized Children
• Provision of infrastructure facilities to maintain the data base on children’s homes

3. South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC)

South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC) is an organization that operates to create the children of the region an environment free of all forms of violence. The member countries of SAARC; Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka represents this organization. This organization, which operates as a member organization of the SAARC is governed by a Governing Board consisting of representatives from member states.

The structure of this organization has been established under two divisions. In addition to the actions of the state, a network called National Action Coordinating Group (NACG) which is a representation of both NGOs and INGOs exists.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Sri Lankan representation:

National Agency                                                                     National Implementing Agency

Ministry of Women and Child Affairs                                   Department of Probation and Child Care Services

Governing Board Member                                                      National Coordinator

                                                                                               

Chandrani Senaratne                                                               P. Chandima Sigera

Secretary                                                                                 Commissioner

Ministry of Women and Child Affairs                                   Department of Probation and Child Care Services

5^th Floor                                                                                   3^rd Floor

Sethsiripaya Stage II                                                               Sethsiripaya Stage II

Battaramulla                                                                            Battaramulla

T.P: +94 (011) 218 6065                                                         T.P: +94 (011) 218 7283

Email: secycdwa@gmail.com                                                 email: pcc@sltnet.lk

Chairperson - National Action Coordinating Group              Co-Chairperson- National Action Coordinating Group

                                                                                   

Champa Goonasekara                                                             Chandila Colombage

Director                                                                                   Manager- Child Care

Foundation for Innovative Social Development                    World Vision Lanka

T.P: +94 (011) 2887666                                              T.P: +94 (011) 5509100

Email: champa@fisd.lk                                               Email: Chandila_Colombege@wvi.org

Link: http://www.saievac.org

4. Social Protection of Children

Action Plan for the Social Protection of Children- 2016-2018

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs implements this project with the funding of Save the Children. The responsibility of implementing the activities of the project has been assigned to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, National Child Protection Authority and to the Children’s Secretariat.

Save the Children provides funds for this project under 04 main Strategy Areas in order to strengthen the children’s right for protection, development and participation within the Sri Lankan society.

Specific responsibility was assigned to the Department of Probation and Child Care Services when implementing these programmes in year 2016. Under this, Rs. 35.35 million was allocated to this department for the year and the allocation was spent for the following:

• Preparation of care plans to minimize the risk situations of vulnerable children and thereby to ensure protection and development of such children
• Conducting of research on identified specific problems. Under this, two researches were conducted, one on The Impact of Parental Migration on the Development and Protection of Children and the other on Children’s Clubs and Children’s Councils established by the department to ensure the children’s right to participation.
• Publishing of the Guideline for Village Child Development Committees. The guideline was distributed all over the country to strengthen various social structures and thereby to strengthen the protection for the children. Furthermore, the committee members were given a training on this guideline.  Preparation of a Case Management Policy to prevent child abuses was initiated and is at its final stage.

Production of a video clip in order to use in national level awareness programmes which are intended to promote child protection and child rights. 

It is evident that the above programmes implemented under the Action Plan for the Social Protection of Children for the protection and development of the Sri Lankan children has a significant contribution for the creation of a friendly society for the children.

5. Athwela

Athwela

Athwela Parent-Sponsored Child Support Scheme

The Department of Probation and Child Care Services daily receives many applications requesting assistance for children. Majority of the issues mentioned in these applications are connected with the economic hardships of the families. Therefore, our Department implemented this Athwela Parent-Sponsored Child Support Scheme to ensure the right of the child to live in a safe and secure family setting and ensure their total development. The Department of Probation and Child Care Services makes coordination between the sponsors and the child/family in need of support. This programme helps children to meet their basic needs such as education, nutrition, health and protection by providing financial assistance, material assistance and service support as the case may be, and the Child Rights Promotion Officers and Child Rights Promotion Assistants attached to Divisional Secretariats send information of eligible children to the Department.

For this program, get the Google applications prepared for entering the details of the children and sponsors through the link below.

• Application to enter details of sponsors

Application to enter details of assistance-seeking children

6. Asian Development Bank Project

The ADB Project (2022-2024)

Total Grant: USD 969,176.30

The project is being implemented by several agencies under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Social Empowerment. It is expected several main objectives, with the special hope to improve the nutritional level and the food safety of the children at risk in Sri Lanka, while giving special attention to the children under the care of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, through the Food and Nutrition Project Funded by the Asian Development Bank. These objectives include the following;

1. ADB-G-01 - Support for basic needs of children in disadvantaged care homes
2. ADB-G-03 - Training for staff at shelters and care homes, Divisional government officials
3. ADB-G-04 - Development of care plans/livelihood development plans for vulnerable children, women and persons
4. ADB-G-05 - Support for basic needs of children at risk of being placed in institutional care
5. ADB-G-06 - Livelihood development support for at risk adolescents, including those in care homes

Overall, the Food and Nutrition project funded by the Asian Development Bank is a critical initiative that aims to improve the lives of vulnerable children in Sri Lanka by providing them with basic necessities, comprehensive care, and support for their physical, emotional, and educational needs.