Laudable 'no' to child-sex tourism

Tourism with a humane and child-friendly face. This seems to be the dimension the Government is seeking to impart to the local tourism industry through its recently unveiled efforts to combat child-sex tourism. A very laudable initiative indeed and one which should receive the backing of all those concerned with the welfare of our children.

In this day and age when the effects of globalization both good and bad are seen in almost every national sphere, it is gladdening to note that the State is not prepared to be carried away by the unctuous and soporific hype advocates of globalization are strewing everywhere in the most indiscreet fashion. Among the more judicious sections, it is the selective use of globalization and its seeming benefits which is best. This is particularly applicable to tourism and travel which have registered a mega rise with the advent of globalization or the economic, political and cultural integration which is believed to be a defining feature of the new world order.

Tourism which facilitates the interaction of peoples and cultures is most welcome and Sri Lanka should never envision a future where it would shun the presence of peoples from foreign lands but it should stand up staunchly against the evil such interaction sometimes brings. Paedophilia - a vital feature of child-sex tourism - is one such immorality which every responsible State condemns and vigorously hunts down and we are glad that the Lankan Government, through the Tourism Ministry and Minister Anura Bandaranaike, is making itself a partner in this noble undertaking of making the world a safer place for our children.

A Zero Tolerance Level of child-sex tourism is indeed what is needed. Our children are not only "the world" but its future too. One of the most effective ways undermining a country's future is to build the lives of its children. This is what the exploitation of children in its numerous forms including sexual exploitation is seeking to achieve. A sexually exploited child is an emotionally traumatised person who is filled with self-loathing and a sense of hopelessness. Such victimized children could never take a country to prosperity and vigorous living. However, this dolorous future would befall those countries which turn a blind-eye on the sexual abuse of its children and we are glad Sri Lanka is not seeking to be among these foredoomed countries. It needs to encourage tourism but should keep an eagle eye on those visitors to our country who are seeking to sexually exploit and dehumanise our children. This should never be tolerated and we are glad that action plans are afoot by the Tourist Board in collaboration with the National Child Protection Authority and international organisations, such as UNICEF, to stem the rot.

It is best that we remember that all is not gold in this glittery globalized world. Economic liberalization and the increasing integration of economies is a defining aspect of globalization but market principles are not synonymous with economic equity or justice. In this "brave new world" almost everything and anything is commercialized, and exploitation emerges as an operative principle of the system. This is leaving its impact on the world's children too. More so why their future must be secured.