"Children are the livewires of the world for they are the future, who will build up the world of tomorrow". (Child Protection Policy manual of Caritas Sri Lanka). Therefore it is our responsibility to nurture and protect them from social evils and provide a safe and peaceful environment for them to grow up.

Therefore being mindful of the importance of promotion and creation of a protective environment for today's children of Sri Lanka, Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC, through its Justice and Good Governance Desk, took the initiative to formula a Child Protection Policy in consultation with the Catholic Bishops' Conference, the Caritas Diocesan Centres in Sri Lanka, Human Rights Consultants and Academics with the kind financial assistance of CAFOD.

A workshop was organized on 15th January 2009 by Caritas SED Galle to introduce the Child Protection Policy of Caritas Sri Lanka -SEDEC to various stakeholders in Southern Province. Addressing the audience of 750 gathered, Fr Damian Arsakularatne, the Director, Caritas SED Galle invited all the participants to join hands introducing the Caritas Sri Lanka Child Protection Policy to protect the child rights and to help our children to live a life worthy of a human person, with happiness and joy. Rev Fr. Damian Fernando, the National Director, Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC answering a question raised from the audience as to what would be the next step replied that the Child Protection Policy of Sri Lanka will be introduced to all the Provinces through the Diocesan Caritas Centres with the support of the Government as well as other Organizations to reach out to all sectors of people to educate and promote the child rights in the society.

Caritas SED Galle (The Social and Economic Development Centre) the Social action arm of the
Catholic Diocese of Galle has catered to the social and economic development of southerners since 1978. With the tsunami devastation, Caritas SED Galle in collaboration with Sri Lanka SEDEC and Caritas Internatinalis, has implemented a massive tsunami relief rehabilitation and development projects to address the physical and psychological needs of the tsunami-affected people in the districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota. This Child Protection Policy Workshop was organized under the direction of Rt. Rev. Dr Harold Anthony Perera, the Bishop of Galle and the Chairman of the Catholic National Commission for Justice, Peace and Human Development of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka. Bishop Harold Anthony Perera said, "The present day children are very vulnerable and badly affected with the changes that are taking place in the world and therefore it is our duty as adults to ensure that they are protected. Under these circumstances this Policy is a support for the protection and promotion of the child rights in the society".

The above workshop was chaired by Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera, the Bishop of Galle with the participation of Very Rev. Fr Nihal Nanayakkara, the Vicar-General of Diocese of Galle, Fr. Damian Fernando, the National Director of Caritas Sri Lanka, Fr. Damian Arsakularatne, the Director, Caritas SED Galle, Fr Michael Colin, Fr Indika Anthony, Fr Lalith Fernando, Sr. Janet and other Rev. Sisters representing various congregations of the Diocese. The multi-religious leaders included Most Venerable Kegalle Pagnarama Thero, Venerable Ridiyagama Vishudhi Thero, Rev. Kalifa Mohammad Alhaj M.H. and Rev. Krisna Murthi Kurukkal. The other participants were Hon. Methsiri de Silva, the Mayor of Galle, Mr. Asoka Jayasekara, the District Sectary – Galle district, Divisional Secretaries, Mr. G.K. Liyanage, the Provincial Coordinator – Caritas SED Galle, Caritas SED Galle staff from Galle, Matara and Hambantota, various other government officials including Medical Officers, Public Health Inspectors, School Teachers, Probation Officers, Child Rights Promotion Officers, Jailors, Social Development officers, Social Service Officers, Police officers, Pre- School Teachers, NGO delegates, Parents, CBO Office Bearers and School Children.

Mr Liyanage, the Provincial Coordinator of Caritas SED Galle while thanking the participants assured that Caritas SED Galle will use this Child Protection Policy as a tool to raise awareness in protecting child's rights among thousands of southerners who are attached to the Organization and will be introduced to the other sectors as well.

Dr. Charika Marasinghe, the Founder Director and Child Rights Law Consultant of C.R.L International (Gte) Ltd who initially advised and supported in formulating this Child Protection Policy was the resource person at this Workshop.

Caritas SED-Galle Srilanka - 2007 - Info@caritassedgalle.org

Affiliated to the National Secretariat for Justice, Peace & Human Development Commission of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka incorporated by Act No. 17 of 1983 of the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.