Childcare key to future development

A country will not develop if the children of that country are not cared, Child Development and Women's Empowerment Minister Tissa Karaliyedda said.

He was addressing a meeting after opening the National Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) week at the Raj Samudra hotel yesterday. This week will continue till December 20.

The National event aims to increase awareness of the need to have quality services, to encourage greater investment, share the best practices and reach a common understanding of expectations and future plans for early childhood care and development, the Minister said.

He said awareness programs should go to rural areas in the country.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga said President Mahinda Rajapaksa's enthusiasm over the children of the country is highly admirable. Creating awareness among the people about early childhood care and development is in capable hands. 'The importance of investing in early childhood' is the theme of the week. Launching a logo, a website and introducing a theme song on early childhood care and development also took place.

Health, Education Ministries and the UNICEF have jointly organized the program.

North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Ven Somawansa Thera, Parliamentarians Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Anoma Gamage, UNICEF Early Childhood Care and Development Unit Chief Nurpher Ulkuer, UNICEF Country Representative Reza Hossaini and Plan Sri Lanka Country Director Ned Spay also participated.