The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children (SRSG-VAC), Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid, visited Sri Lanka from 21 to 27 June 2026. During her visit, she delivered the Keynote Address at the South Asia Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children (SAMC-EVAC), co-convened by the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Government of Sri Lanka, UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (UNICEF ROSA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Office of the SRSG-VAC. The regional Conference was held in Colombo on 23–24 June 2026.
In her opening remarks, SRSG M'jid emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation in advancing child protection, at a time of growing global divisions, noting that the Conference represented an important opportunity for countries in the region to strengthen collective efforts to end all forms of violence against children in all settings.
During her visit, SRSG M'jid called on the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. and met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj; and the Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara. The discussions focused on further strengthening national child protection systems, and enhancing regional and global cooperation and collaboration to prevent and respond to violence against children.
The SRSG-VAC also visited the Kandy High Court to observe Sri Lanka's first child-friendly court facility, established by the Ministry of Justice and National Integration with the support of the European Union and UNICEF, and inaugurated in September 2025.
The SRSG’s visit reaffirmed the strong partnership existing between the United Nations and the Government of Sri Lanka in advancing child welfare, strengthening child protection systems, and promoting coordinated action to eliminate violence against children. Sri Lanka is a State Party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and has ratified its first two Optional Protocols, as well as the key ILO Conventions on Child Labour. Sri Lanka is also a member of the Pathfinding Global Alliance on Ending Violence against Children.
Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid has served as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative on Violence against Children since 2019, leading global advocacy and partnerships to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against children.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children is an independent global advocate for the prevention and elimination of violence against children. The mandate promotes the implementation of international human rights standards and fosters cooperation among the United Nations, regional organizations, national institutions, civil society, and the private sector, to advance collective action to end violence against children.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism
Colombo
30 July 2026
