Over 10,000 Child-Related Complaints Reported This Year: Cases Involving Child Marriages Included
January 29, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has recorded more than 10,000 complaints concerning the welfare and safety of children so far in 2025, reflecting persistent challenges in child protection across the country.
According to figures released by the Authority, a total of 10,455 complaints were received during the year. The majority — 8,514 cases — came under the provisions of the NCPA Act, while a further 1,941 complaints related to issues that fall outside the institution’s direct legal scope but nonetheless required attention or referral to other agencies.
A significant number of cases involved serious offences. Reports of sexual harassment totalled 545, while 231 complaints related to severe sexual abuse. The NCPA also documented 38 cases of rape involving children. In addition, authorities were alerted to 79 teenage pregnancies and three abortion-related cases, pointing to ongoing gaps in awareness and support for vulnerable adolescents.
The data further revealed nine incidents of child marriage, alongside 150 cases of online abuse targeting minors — an area of growing concern as children’s exposure to digital platforms increases. Alarmingly, 20 complaints were linked to attempted suicide among children, highlighting mental health risks faced by young people.
Other reported issues included 42 cases of children lacking birth certificates, which can restrict access to education and healthcare, and nine instances where children under the age of five were left behind due to parental migration for employment overseas.
The NCPA noted that these statistics underline the continuing need for strong monitoring, early intervention and coordinated action among state institutions and communities to safeguard children’s rights and wellbeing.
The post Over 10,000 Child-Related Complaints Reported This Year: Cases Involving Child Marriages Included appeared first on LNW Lanka News Web.
