World Children's Day and Elders’ Day- 2024

The World Children's Day and Elders’ Day- 2024 celebration was held under the theme of "Lend your loving arms protect elders and children", on 01 October at Suhurupaya Auditorium, Battaramulla under the patronage of Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Hon. Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

In conjunction with this event, the exhibition of the winning paintings of the early childhood children's art competition held by the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development and the award of certificates to the winners was also held at the Suhurupaya premises.

Children, elders, officials including ministry secretaries, and more than 1000 guests participated in this event. The program was jointly organized by the Ministry of Women, Child and Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, National Integration,Social Security and Mass Media.

The issue of the 2024 World Children's Day commemorative stamp and the first day cover, the appreciation of all Island winners in the " Sithuvili Siththam " Competition of arts, posters and cartoons, and the appreciation of the winners of the Save the Child in the Digital World Short Video Competition were among the highlights of the national event. Further, the launch of the National Policy on Child Day Care Centers, which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in the year 2024, was also a significant event.

Appreciation of the elderly homes selected under the Rating Program of Elderly Homes, symbolizing the expansion of the "Sip-Savi" educational assistance program, as well as documentary programs on the National Secretariat for Elders, introduction of an insurance policy for elders called "Suvasarana", etc., were other events of the program. Many dancing items of early childhood children, school children and elders were also presented in the program.    

Keynote speech of this national event was delivered by Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara, a former senior lecturer of Sri Jayawardenepura University and the Chairman of Sri Lanka Arts Council.

The Hon. Prime Minister addressed the gathering by explaining the value of children and the elders, the social mission, the responsibilities of caring for them with affection and leve, the government's vision of building a prosperous nation. Further, the initiatives of the new government to create the environment for a better society with responsible citizens, to strengthen the organizational structures to provide effective and optimal service through public institutions, to make a practical and favorable change to fulfill the people's expectations with public trust and unity, were also explained. She also assured that the government will take necessary steps to ensure that the child is not treated unfairly in the issue of Grade 5 scholarship examination, which is being widely discussed at present.