Controversy over the use of children in the electoral campaign

There have been several reports of children being used in propaganda for the 21st September elections. This is a worrying phenomenon in a country already plagued by serious problems with issues such as child abuse. Sr Deepa Fernando: “Sri Lanka does not have a national framework for child protection: more care and assistance is needed.”

Colombo () – The National Movement for the Protection of Children has filed a complaint with the Electoral Commission, asking it to take legal action against those who involve children in propaganda and electoral campaigns ahead of the crucial elections on 21 September.

The Movement’s president, Priyantha Herath, said that despite having earlier lodged a complaint with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) stating that there is no legal basis for involving children in election campaigns or advertisements, the NCPA has not taken any action till date. The election watchdogs have also urged all political parties not to use children in election activities.

According to Manjula Gajanayake, executive director of the Institute of Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES), videos and photos showing children campaigning for political parties are circulating on social media. Commenting on the issue, the Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake, confirmed that the Commission has received numerous complaints of such incidents. He added that “the National Child Protection Authority should play a key role in addressing these issues.”

This election controversy is affecting a country where there are serious problems with the condition of children. In recent days, for example, there has been an increase in the number of reports of child abuse in the district of Anuradhapura: 491 cases have been reported in the last six months. And there are fears that these cases are just the tip of the iceberg, as many other cases of violence go unreported.

Children with physical or mental disabilities are the most at risk: in many areas, essential services for them are inaccessible or completely absent. Many communities are unable to identify and respond to the needs of these children in a timely manner and do not have adequate parenting support programmes that provide the network of care that they and their families need.

Sister Deepa Fernando, former headmistress of a leading Catholic school and coordinator of the Christian Women’s Movement (MCWV), told : “Unfortunately, Sri Lanka does not have a national framework for child protection. To ensure adequate responses to the problem, Sri Lanka would need more staff dedicated to this task. Greater engagement with children, families and schools should be encouraged. And, above all, much more attention and assistance should be given to child victims.”