Elders responsibility to work for children

It is a great pleasure for me to issue this message to mark Universal Children's Day celebrations held this year under the theme 'Let's build the victorious nation for children', Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka said in a World Children's Day message.

The message:

We have launched a march towards a new era after we won independence in 1948. The first step towards it was taken when terrorism which reduced the society including children to fear and frustration for over 30 years was roundly defeated and we rose up as a truly free and independent nation.

'Mahinda Chinthana' which created a massive development and transformation in all sectors of the country has given priority for the welfare of the child generation. Many steps have been taken to enable children live as children enjoying their just rights and ensure a better future for them. They include improvement of children's education and health facilities preventing crimes against children including child trafficking, child abuse and popularising IT among children.

The Mathata Thitha program launched to eradicate the drug menace which was a major factor for child abuse has become a great relief for children.

Steps taken to provide lodging, food, clothing and health facilities to thousands of children liberated from LTTE clutches through humanitarian operations and accommodated in welfare villages and return them to their families in the long term are most commendable. It is the responsibility of all elders to work for the development and welfare of children. Since children are the future inheritors of the nation we should work with more dedication and commitment to transform the child generation into a generation rich in physical and mental development. Parents, teachers and elders should understand children's needs and tastes and work accordingly.

Our next challenge is to carry forward the nation liberated to the astonishment of the whole world towards peace and development and bequeath it to the child generation. I trust that we would receive the unstinted support and co-operation of all parties including the Government and non Government sectors towards this effort.