News Today: Government to Ban Corporal Punishment in All Sectors
In a major human rights development, the Government to ban corporal punishment in all sectors of Sri Lanka has received Cabinet approval. This crucial step was announced by Cabinet Spokesman and Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, who confirmed that all forms of physical punishment, particularly those affecting children, will be outlawed.
The proposed ban includes any punishment that causes physical harm or mental trauma, underscoring the government’s commitment to protecting children and individuals from violence in educational, custodial, and institutional settings.
Global research has long demonstrated the harmful effects of corporal punishment, linking it to both immediate injury and long-term psychological damage. In line with these findings, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet took action during its meeting on April 29, 2024, approving amendments to two key legal instruments: the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979 and the Penal Code (19th Authority).
The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code will include provisions that ban all forms of physical punishment causing injury. The Penal Code amendment aims to clearly define penalties related to such acts and recognises the scientifically proven harm caused to children from physical discipline.
Minister Jayatissa stated that the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the draft bills to be published in the Government Gazette and submitted to Parliament, although the publication process is pending. The urgency to legalise these measures has been officially acknowledged.
The Justice and National Integration Minister presented the resolution, securing policy approval to move forward with drafting the relevant laws. This reflects a national consensus on the need to protect citizens, especially vulnerable groups like children, from state or institutional violence.
I think Sri Lanka should prohibit all corporal punishment of children this summer … on 8/27/25 at the absolute latest. Anytime before would also be fine. Kids are human, just like adults. So, kids have rights just as much as adults do. Kids need to be protected, not hurt. Kids need safety, not violence. Kids need adults to model good behaviors for them, and hitting is not one of those good behaviors at all. Hitting children doesn’t solve problems; it only makes things worse. It causes: Fear, worry, panic, depression, anxiety, anger, rebellion, trust issues, and anti-social behaviors. If any children get hit at all, it will only get them to believe it’s okay for them to be violent, and then cause them to become violent themselves. Kids need adults to model good behaviors for them and hitting is not one of those good behaviors at all. In order for kids not to develop any of those issues later in life like I mentioned hitting causing for kids, those kids cannot be hit by any people around them at all — especially adults. This whole thing of hitting children has gone on for far too long and needs to stop. Kids need to be: Happy, healthy, safe, protected, and respected. In order for kids to be those 5 things, they cannot be hit by anybody around them at all — especially adults. If adults have the right to be both safe and protected from getting hurt, then so do kids. I believe this year, 2025, would be the perfect year to officially end all corporal punishment of children in Sri Lanka. All of the children there need to be given rights this year, and start getting more respect there this year.