Constant vigil of parents and society essential to ensure safety of children: President

President Maithripala said by celebrating the International Children’s Day merely for a day is not sufficient and if every day is committed to the safety of children, they will be secure in the life they aspire. In a statement on International Children’s Day, he said the parents, elders and the society must commit themselves totally to safeguard children. The President, pointing out that the government has already taken steps in that direction, said that the society too must join this cause to safeguard our children from impending disasters. “Parents must realize that their constant attention is an assurance of child’s safety and any lapse in attention means that the child is unsafe and it is an open invitation for possible harm, President Sirisena said. Following is the full text of the message: I am pleased to send this message on the occasion of ‘International Children’s Day,’ marked this year under the theme, ‘Child-friendly environment – Beautiful Nation to lighten-up the World.’ A nation or a community of people will receive high recognition in the world through the love and care given by its people or society to children. The foremost value of human civilization is the tenderness and love for children. Hence, the saying, ‘Best things in the world belong to children’. The child must receive protection first from the parents, then from the teachers and thirdly from the elders and the society itself. Overall unconditional responsibility for protection of children lies with the entire nation. However, recently reported incidents show that responsibility has vastly been shirked by the society. This must be rectified immediately and provisions must be made to implement laws and introduce new laws or amend existing laws. Furthermore, the parents, elders and the society must commit themselves totally to save our children from this unfortunate catastrophe. The government has already taken steps in that direction and the society too must join this cause to safeguard our children from impending disaster. Parents must realize that their constant attention is an assurance of child’s safety and any lapse in attention means that the child is unsafe and it is an open invitation for possible harm. By celebrating the International Children’s Day merely for a day is not sufficient and if every day is committed to the safety of children, they will be secure in the life they aspire. I wish the International Children’s Day celebrations every success. Maithripala Sirisena