EU, Sri Lanka Host Landmark Child Protection Conference

Colombo(News 1st); The International Conference on Child Protection (ICCP’25) was inaugurated today in Colombo, bringing together over 250 participants to address violence against children in Sri Lanka.

Organized by the University of Kelaniya’s Centre for Gender Studies with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), and supported by the European Union through UNICEF, the three-day event focuses on strengthening child protection systems through evidence-based policies and reforms.

In 2024, over 10,000 child abuse cases were reported, with more than 8% involving sexual abuse. 

ICCP’25 aligns with national policy and international pledges made at the 2024 Global Ministerial Conference to End Violence Against Children.

Key speakers, including Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, and EU Ambassador Carmen Moreno, stressed the need for child-friendly justice and institutional reform.