Mindset Change Needed to Transform Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); Dr. Namal Sudarshana, Deputy Minister for Women and Child Affairs, emphasized that legal reforms alone cannot transform a country without a fundamental change in societal attitudes. 

He made these remarks at the launch of a national awareness program for teachers on managing schoolchildren without corporal punishment.

Sudarshana highlighted global trends, noting that 68 countries have completely abolished corporal punishment, while 27 others are in the process of enacting laws to ban it. 

He cited research from nations such as Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Austria, which demonstrated that eliminating physical punishment requires not just legislation but a cultural shift.

“We have a responsibility to protect children’s rights. Legal changes within the school system alone won’t change a country. What we need is a major attitudinal transformation,” Sudarshana said.

He stressed the importance of nurturing empathy, emotional well-being, and positive values in children, adding that the ministry has already developed a curriculum framework and a national preschool policy in collaboration with the Education Ministry.

“Let’s unite to build a better future for our children and society. This is a collective responsibility,” he concluded.