UNP calls for wider consultations on child protection laws and religious reform agenda

Wednesday, 3 June 2026 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The United National Party (UNP) has called on the Government to initiate broad-based consultations with all relevant stakeholders to strengthen legislation aimed at protecting children from abuse, stressing that the issue should not be narrowly framed as occurring only within religious institutions.

In a statement, the UNP noted child abuse is a “societal problem” that extends across multiple sectors, warning against politicising or attributing it solely to religious settings. The party urged authorities to avoid framing the issue through religious prejudice and instead adopt a comprehensive national approach.

Referring to recent public discussion on so-called child ordinations, the UNP states such practices are closely linked to economic hardship and family-level financial distress.

It called on the Government to strengthen and expand regulated social services to support vulnerable families, arguing that improved welfare mechanisms could reduce the risk of children being pushed into harmful coping practices linked to poverty.

On proposed reforms related to Buddhist clergy institutions, the party stressed that any changes concerning the Sangha should not be driven unilaterally by political actors, but should instead involve structured consultations with Buddhist stakeholders. It further urged that reform discussions be expanded across all religious communities, including issues such as the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, to ensure inclusive and balanced policy development.

“Ongoing attempts to politicise these issues will fail to address the source of these national problems. An inability to address these causes will continue to leave our children vulnerable,” the UNP cautioned.