Page 92 - KDU Law Journal Volume 4 Issue 2

KDU Law Journal Volume 04 Issue II
September, 2024
rights. 1
Despite several legal and policy frameworks that protect children’s
rights and prohibit CP in Sri Lanka, the practice of CP remains
widespread. The study on ‘Child Disciplinary Methods Practiced in
Schools in Sri Lanka’ released in May 2017 by the National Child
2
Protection Authority has revealed that 80.4% out students (762) out
of 948 students in six districts had been subjected to at least one
method of CP. Further, it has found that both the qualitative and
quantitative studies indicated that the use of CP and psychological
aggression was highly prevalent in Sri Lanka Schools. Unfortunately,
most teachers and principals believe in the efficacy of CP.

Therefore, there is a lack of implementation of existing laws and
policies, and parents and teachers continue to use CP as a form of
discipline. This has several negative implications for children’s
physical and mental health, including physical harm, long-term
psychological effects, and harm to the parent-child relationship.
Additionally, CP can lead to increased aggression in children, and
perpetuate a cycle of violence that can have long-term implications
for the society as a whole.
Furthermore, there is a lack of research and understanding of the
prevalence and causes of CP in Sri Lanka. This limits the development
of effective interventions to address the issue and protect children’s
rights. There is a need for further research to understand the root
causes of CP in Sri Lanka and identify effective interventions that
promote positive discipline and non-violent forms of discipline.

Overall, exploring the legality and implications of CP in Sri Lanka
from child rights and legal perspectives is a crucial area of study
1 Aloysius C, ‘Corporal Punishment Causes Injuries and Physical Impairments’ Sunday Observer
(28 November 2021) https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2021/11/28/health/corporal-punishment-
causes-injuries-and physicalimpairments#:~:text=Corporal%20punishment%20includes%20
any%20action,form%20of%20violence%20against%20children accessed 1 April 2023.
2 National Child Protection Authority, A Study on Child Disciplinary Methods Practiced
in Schools in Sri Lanka (2017) https://stopchildcruelty.com/media/doc/NCPA_2017.pdf
accessed 2 April 2023.
law.faculty@kdu.ac.lk
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