Addressing a media briefing held at the Government’s Information Department Sept(30) the State Minister said:

‘Children before everything’ is the theme of International Children’s day this year. All arrangements are in place to celebrate the National ceremony this year under the patronage of Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardana, Media Minister Dallas Alahapperuma and several other ministers and parliamentarians in the main studio of the National Television – Rupavahini tomorrow. A limited number of children will participate in the ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so encourage children to watch this program over the television, State Minister Nishantha requested the parents.

He further said that a number of programs have been implemented on children’s day as children have been confined to homes, affected by the global pandemic and some other diseases, and denied study opportunities.

The most affected groups are the pre-school children who were denied an opportunity to attend pre-schools for two years. They are compelled to admit to schools next year without pre-school education. Therefore, arrangements have been made to launch a new television channel specifically to cater to pre-school students Oct-01st. Awareness will be made among the parents of pre-school students over this special channel, the State Minister said.

He said, in addition, computer centres will be opened for the inmates of 379 children’s homes throughout the country.

He further said that arrangements have been made to grant 1500 scholarships for school teachers today.

State Minister Nishantha said that action will be taken to appoint committees of representatives to draw attention to the children of expatriate parents who are subject to exploitation