Business
Stop Child Cruelty Trust stands up for Sri Lankan children at UNHRC
Stop Child Cruelty Trust submitted to the UNHRC, 42nd session of Universal Periodic Review, urging the International Community to hold the GOSL accountable to fulfil its obligations to protect our children
Child protection is a national crisis in Sri Lanka, with over 17 children being physically or sexually abused and murdered in the past 24 months. The relevant authorities have taken little or no action to do anything meaningful to resolve the crisis. Therefore, Stop Child Cruelty Trust (SSC) reached out to the International community to protect and promote the rights of 25% of our citizens, 5.2 million children. SCC, a registered Civil Society Organization committed to child rights submitted a proposal to the 42nd Session of the fourth cycle of the Universal Period Review (UPR) of UNHRC which is scheduled in January/February 2023 in Geneva.
SCC highlighted six key focus areas, which included:
Failure to implement a National Human Rights Action Plan
Failure to end corporal punishment in schools and in homes
Failure to protect the Human Rights Of Children Attending International Schools
Failure to recognize the child as a rights holder
Failure to implement the Juvenile Justice System
Failure of the Police, Probation And Childcare Departments to protect children
Among the ten key recommendations, implementing the historic Supreme Court directive of 2021 to ban corporal punishment unequivocally, concluding the ‘Child Protection and Justice Bill and regularising international schools by the Ministry of Education to provide the same non-discriminatory Constitutional Protection to them.
Dr Tush Wickramanayaka, Founder and Chairperson of Stop Child Cruelty Trust and Co-convener of Sri Lanka’s FIRST Child Protection Alliance speaking about their submission to UNHCR said, “As a nation, we have failed our children. At the conclusion of the third UPR review of Sri Lanka in 2017, The High Commissioner of UNHRC encouraged the State party to achieve concrete results in implementing the National Action Plan on Human Rights. In endorsing the rights of children, the High Commissioner recommended putting an end to corporal punishment in all settings and taking measures to promote positive non-violent forms of discipline and end child labour. However, the emphasis to protect and promote the rights of children has been diminished in the National Action Plan of 2017-2021. The section on the elimination of corporal punishment that was applauded in the Plan from 2011-1016 was removed from the Plan from 2017-2021. As a consequence, the severity of abuse has got worse with children being beaten to death.”
“SCC has made recommendations on ways to reduce and mitigate these atrocities. Our main focus is to end violence against children, especially corporal punishment. We have a multi-pronged sustainable national action plan, the ‘Pentagon Proposal’, we have created advocacy on all issues relating to child rights/legal reforms with National and International authorities. For the first time, we have obtained the signatories in agreement from all party leaders to include child protection to the heart of the National Security Agenda. During a special debate on child protection in Parliament on 8 November 2022, school children delivered an appeal signed by over 5000 citizens to all MP’s #225maona urging the public representatives to prioritize child protection in every political agenda. “
Dr Wickramanayaka has just returned from Geneva where she attended a four-day conference of the Pre-Sessions of the UPR, a platform dedicated to CSO’s of States Under Review in 2023. “It was an amazing experience and a lot of exhausting individual discussions with Permanent Representatives of State parties to present facts and gain support for our children as we were the only dedicated child rights organization from Sri Lanka. With the overwhelming responses, I am confident we can change the path of our country to create an environment without violence for the true beneficiaries of the future, our children. I wish to thank the indefatigable efforts of my team”, declared a jubilant child rights defendant.
Those interested in getting involved in the #Noguti campaign can visit the website at www.stopchildcruelty.com and the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stopchildcruelty or email info@stopchildcruelty.com.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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