2021 Oct 2
By investing in our children, we are investing in our future, and working towards their well-being and protection is a part of our duty. So here’s a comprehensive guide to organisations working to ensure that no child is left behind. These organisations operate in diverse spheres spanning policy reform, legal protection and guidance, physical and mental healthcare, financial support, education, and fostering and caretaking.
Protection from Domestic Abuse, Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking
Women and Children’s Bureau
Under the State Ministry of Women and Child Development, Pre-Schools & Primary Education, School Infrastructure & Education Services. They also provide support towards Children’s Homes, Preschool Programmes, the Convention of Child Rights, Welfare Support for Victimised Children, Counselling and psycho-social Support and Counselling Programmes.
Child & Women Bureau:
Phone: 0112 444 444 / 0112 186 055
Fax: 0112 187 249
E-mail: secycdwa@gmail.com
Social Media:
Facebook and YouTube: State Ministry of Women and Child Development
Website: http://www.childwomenmin.gov.lk/institutes/womens-bureau
Address:
5th Floor,
Sethsiripaya Stage II,
Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.
National Child Protection Authority
Their mission is to ensure that children are free from all forms of abuse. Reach out to their toll-free 24-hour hotline dedicated to receiving complaints on child abuse and child right violation, and giving children an opportunity to talk when they need. The ChildLine is a private and confidential service for child-related inquiries.
Moreover, they advise the government on policies and laws on preventing child abuse and the protection and treatment of children who are victims of such abuse. They also coordinate and monitor actions taken against all forms of child abuse.
Childline: 1929
Website: http://www.childprotection.gov.lk/?page_id=6
Tele: 0112 778 911 – 12 – 14
Fax : 0112 778 915
Address:
National Child Protection Authority,
No. 330, Thalawathugoda Road,
Madiwela, Sri Jayawardenapura,
Sri Lanka.
Email: ncpa@childprotection.gov.lk
Website: www.childprotection.gov.lk
Save the Children
They are committed to eradicating all forms of violence and abuse against children. Supporting both government and community-based child protection systems to protect children, they work closely with the government authorities to reunify children who have been in state and voluntary homes with their families.
In addition, they work to make courts more child friendly. They carry out protection activities during displacement and emergencies. They also set up child protection committees and recreational spaces for children.
Telephone: 0112 555 336
Social Media:
Facebook: Save the Children in Sri Lanka
LinkedIn: Save the Children in Sri Lanka
Twitter: Save the Children in Sri Lanka
Address:
Sri Lanka Country Office
18, Sinsapa Road,
Colombo 6
Sri Lanka
E-mail: gmail.srilanka@savethechildren.org
Website: https://srilanka.savethechildren.net/
UNICEF Sri Lanka
Works in a wide range of areas such as Child Survival and Development, Child Protection, Education, Emergency Response, Partnerships, Social Policy and Child Rights Monitoring. UNICEF considers the holistic development of a child — from birth through early and adolescent years into adulthood. Across each of the stages of childhood, UNICEF works with multiple stakeholders to strengthen systems, enhance coordination and improve the quality and delivery of essential social services.
Contact: 0112 677 550
Social Media:
Facebook: UNICEF Sri Lanka
Instagram: unicef_srilanka
Twitter: UNICEF_SriLanka
Address:
United Nations Children’s Fund
PO Box 143
Colombo
Sri Lanka.
Office address:
United Nations Children’s Fund
No 3/1,
Rajakeeya Mawatha,
Colombo 07
Sri Lanka.
E-mail: colombo@unicef.org
Website: https://www.unicef.org/srilanka/
Protecting Environment and Children Everywhere PEaCE (ECPAT Sri Lanka)
This is an NGO that aims to protect and promote the rights of every child and create an environment in which the safety and security of every child are assured. Their focus areas include Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism, Trafficking of Children (SECTT), Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), Children in Prostitution and Child Forced Marriage.
Phone: 0112 819 397
Social Media:
Facebook: ECPAT Sri Lanka – PEaCE
LinkedIn: Protecting Environment and Children Everywhere – PEaCE (ECPAT Sri Lanka)
Instagram: ecpatlk
Address:
39/4 Jayasinghe Rd,
Colombo
Email: info@ecpat.lk
Website: https://www.ecpat.lk/
Support for Children with Disabilities and Health Conditions
Reach Beyond – Autism & Child Development Center
Reach Beyond is a not-for-profit organisation formed by a group of like-minded mothers of children with disabilities, with the philosophy to ‘accept, include and empower’. They aim to provide effective, coordinated and holistic treatment and therapy services to individuals with disabilities.
Phone: 0777 327 120 (Sinhala & English), 0777 327 121 (Tamil & English)
Email: info@reachbeyond.lk, reachbeyonddisability@gmail.com
Address:
14/7 Tickell Rd,
Colombo 08
Website: www.reachbeyond.lk
Prithipura Communities
Prithipura Communities is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation. They provide a home to some of the most vulnerable in Sri Lanka, those with disabilities who have little or no family contact. They offer support regardless of ethnicity, religion or financial means. They currently support 250 children and adults with disabilities.
Phone: 0112 930 635
Email: info@prithipura.org
Social Media:
Facebook: Prithipura Communities
Instagram: Prithipura
Address:
The Secretary
Prithipura Infants Home
Prithipura Road
Hendala,
Wattala 11300
Sri Lanka
Website: https://www.prithipura.org/
The Children’s Heart Project of Sri Lanka
This is a registered charity approved by the Government of Sri Lanka. It was incorporated in 1993. Their goal is to improve facilities in Sri Lanka for the treatment of children with heart diseases to the point where every child receives appropriate and effective treatment as and when it is needed.
Their objectives are to:
- Equip and improve hospitals, clinics, operating theatres and other facilities used in the diagnosis and treatment of children with heart diseases in Sri Lanka.
- Help train state doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses and other professionals engaged in providing paediatric cardiac services in Sri Lanka.
- Provide partial financial assistance to children requiring urgent intervention and having to seek private-sector facilities in Sri Lanka.
- Promote awareness and understanding of the problem of CHD in Sri Lanka.
- Maintain, foster and develop paediatric cardiac services in Sri Lanka.
- Raise sufficient funds to cover the cost of achieving the preceding objectives.
Tel: 0115 579 915 / 0727 769 123
E-mail: info@childrensheartproject.lk
Social Media:
Facebook: Children’s Heart Project of Sri Lanka
Address:
The Children’s Heart Project of Sri Lanka
C/o Managers & Secretaries (Pvt) Limited
No 8, Tickell Road
Colombo 08
Sri Lanka.
Website: http://www.childrensheartproject.lk/
Ayati Centre
Ayati Trust Sri Lanka is a charitable trust incorporated between the University of Kelaniya, a state university in Sri Lanka, and Hemas Holdings and MAS Holdings. It is a long term national initiative which has three main aims.
- Operating and maintaining a National Centre for children with disabilities.
- Changing the mindset of the public to eliminate any stigma and promote acceptance of children with disabilities.
- Extending the services to the rural areas of Sri Lanka in time to come.
Hotline: 0117 878 500
Phone: 0768 014 262 , 0114 731 777
Email: info@ayati.lk
Social Media:
Facebook: Ayati
Instagram: ayati_sl
Ayati Trust Sri Lanka
Address:
Faculty of Medicine
University of Kelaniya
P.O. Box 6 Talagolla Road
Ragama
Sri Lanka.
Website: https://www.ayati.lk/
Mental Health and Counselling Services
National Institute of Mental Health
You may contact the toll-free national mental health helpline to receive mental health assistance from trained professionals at NIMH.
Helpline: 1926
Telephone: 0112 578 234
Website: https://nimh.health.gov.lk/en/
Email: info@nimh.health.gov.lk
Social Media:
Facebook: National Institute of Mental Health, Sri Lanka
Address:
NIMH,
Mulleriyawa New Town
CCCline
Reach out to them regarding mental health concerns, child abuse, bullying at school, examinations, personal issues and matters of emotional and mental well-being.
Hotline: 1333
Social Media:
Facebook: CCC Foundation- Courage, Compassion, Commitment
Instagram: ccc_foundation
Address:
CCC Foundation Inc. (Sri Lanka),
C/O Classic Travel (Pvt) Ltd,
379/4,
Galle Road,
Colombo 03,
Sri Lanka.
Website: http://cccfoundation.org.au/
Shanthi Maargam
Reach out to them through their hotline any day of the week between 8 am and 10 pm if you are a young person in crisis or looking to help a child who’s feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk.
Hotline: 0717 639 898
Phone: 0112 665 126
Social Media:
Facebook: Shanthi Maargam
Instagram: shanthimaargam
Address:
109/12,
1st lane,
Gothami Road 00800
Colombo,
Sri Lanka
Website: https://shanthimaargam.org/
Sumithrayo
The Sumithrayo centres are spread out across Sri Lanka. The organisation is focused on providing emotional support to those with suicidal ideation. They also conduct awareness programmes on suicide prevention in Sri Lanka.
Hotline : 0112 682 535 / 0112 682 570
Mobile/WhatsApp: 0767 520 620 / 0777 723 696
Social Media:
Facebook: Sumithrayo
Instagram: sumithrayosl
Email: info@srilankasumithrayo.lk / slssumithrayo@gmail.com
Address:
Head Office:
60/7,
Horton Place,
Colombo,
Sri Lanka
Sumithrayo – Colombo
Hotline: 0112 692 909 / 0112 683 555
E-mail Helpline: sumithrayo@sltnet.lk
Address:
60/B
Horton Place,
Colombo 07
Sumithrayo ‘Mel Medura’’
Hotline: 0112 694 665
E-mail Helpline: melmedura@sltnet.lk
Address:
60 Horton Place,
Colombo 07
Sumithrayo – Kandy
Hotline: 0812 234 806
Address:
693/4
Peradeniya Road,
Mulgampola,
Kandy
oDoc
If a child is in need of mental health or counselling services you can channel a doctor right from the safety of your home. They also offer COVID-19 related services such as treatment and advice.
Phone: 0770 773 333
Email: support@odoc.life
Social Media:
Facebook: oDoc
Instagram: odochq
Download the oDoc App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Website: https://www.odoc.life/
The Semicolon Effect
This is a support group for anyone struggling with any form of mental health issue. They also host informative sessions on mental health and share tips from psychologists via their social media.
Phone: 0789 072 566
Social Media:
Facebook: The Semicolon Effect
Instagram: thesemicoloneffect
Osilmo Autism Centre
This is a special education and research centre for autistic children. Their special and group therapy systems prepare children for communication and interaction. Their vision is to provide an environment for children that will enable them to integrate into society.
Phone: 0112 702 532, 0112 545 114, 0714 204 250, 0714 307 274
Email: osilmo2020@gmail.com, osilmo@yahoo.com, osilmoautism@gmail.com
Address:
No. 09,
Horana Road,
Kesbewa,
Colombo,
Sri Lanka.
Website: https://osilmo.com/about-osilmo/
Children’s Homes and Economic Support
Child Action Lanka
They work to assist and transform the lives of disadvantaged children in Sri Lanka. With a focus to look after the physical and mental health of children, they provide support to the families of street children, aiding in business loans, savings and expanding such businesses.
Their mission is to protect the most disadvantaged children and provide holistic education, health and nutrition promoting their basic needs, rights and interests to enable them, their families and communities to be individuals who bring positive change.
Phone: 0812 234 144
Social Media:
Facebook: Child Action Lanka
Linkedin: Child Action Lanka
Instagram: childactionlanka
Address:
No. 06,
Power Station Road
20000 Kandy,
Sri Lanka
Website: https://www.childactionlanka.org/
Hope for Children
They work to support disabled children through the provision of education, outreach support in the form of counselling, and home visits promoting the rights for disabled individuals across the country.
Phone: 0628 265 662
Social Media:
Facebook: Srilankanhopeforchildren
Website: https://srilankan-hope-for-children.nl/?lang=en
SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka
They parent 860 children through interventions and their six villages across Sri Lanka. Their work includes crisis housing groups, counselling centres, outpatient clinics and aftercare.
Children, adolescents and their families can find what they urgently need: relief, support and an opportunity for a new perspective.
Telephone: 0112 702 712
Email: donate@soscvsrilanka.org
Social Media:
Facebook: SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka
Linkedin: SOS Children’s Villages, Sri Lanka
Instagram: soscvsl
Twitter: SOSCVSriLanka
Address:
SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka
Fund Development and communication office
P.O. Box 5,
Piliyandala
Website: https://www.soschildrensvillages.lk/
Lanka Mother and Child
Their mission is to provide a means of support to children, mothers and expectant mothers who have been left stranded without a permanent or stable support system due to extreme circumstances. The Lanka Mother and Child Support Foundation currently addresses the needs of underprivileged children, mothers and expectant mothers.
Phone: 0112 510 100
Email: info@lankamotherandchild.org
Social Media:
Facebook: Lanka Mother and Child Support Foundation
Address:
No. 153,
Nawala Road,
Colombo 05,
Sri Lanka.
Website: http://www.lankamotherandchild.org/
Stichting Mission Lanka
Committed to human rights for both the young and old in Sri Lanka, they help children, families and communities break the cycle of poverty. Their work includes human rights awareness, promotion of children’s rights and child education, provision of comfort to victims and minimisation of human rights violations where possible.
Phone: 0686 296 000
Email: info@stichtingmissionlanka.org
Social Media:
Facebook: Stitching Mission Lanka
Twitter: Stitching Mission Lanka
Address:
Mission Lanka Foundation,
Canon Terwindtstraat 11,
7071WR,
Ulft,
Dutch.
Website: https://www.stichtingmissionlanka.org/en-gb
Education and Skills Development
Friends Lanka Child Foundation
The focus of the organisation is to give socially deprived children a better future through access to free education. They aim to support children from difficult socio-economic and/or abusive family backgrounds as well as orphans and abandoned children through group education, children homes, individual educational programmes and scholarships.
Phone: 0112 812 996
Social Media:
Facebook: Friends Lanka Child Foundation
Instagram: flcflanka
Head Office Address:
No. 22/2, 1/1,
Perera Mawatha,
Kalubowila,
Dehiwala,
Sri Lanka.
Website: https://www.flcf.lk/
CDF Inspire
This is a recent initiative by the Monks of Mahamevnawa to provide quality education free of charge together with human values. Their free online programmes cover subject areas such as Spoken English and Mathematics.
Phone: 0701 286 401
Social Media:
Facebook: CDF Inspire
YouTube: CDF Inspire I Learn English for FREE
Website: https://www.serenecolombo.org/cdf-inspire/
Shilpa Children’s Development Centre
Their mission is to positively change the lives of girls and women in need by giving them access to education, skills training and support services. The Children’s Home provides residential facilities to 30 girls. The home has two dormitories, study and recreational rooms, a library, an administrative office and a computer room.
Phone: 011 236 9533
Email: shilpatr@sltnet.lk
Address:
SHILPA CHILDREN’S HOME
No.45/92,
Nawala Road Narahenpita,
Colombo 05,
Sri Lanka.
Website: https://shilpa.org/
Vajira Sri Childrens’ Development Center
Their mission is to secure the children’s right to survival, protection, development and participation. Their programmes include English programmes, computer training and psychosocial programmes.
Phone: 0112 856 146, 0718 329 308
Email: info@vajirasri.com
Social Media:
Facebook: Vajira Sri Children’s Development Centre
Address:
21/25 Ananda Balika Mawatha
Pagoda Road Pitakotte,
Sri Lanka.
Website: www.vajirasri.com
Room to Read – Sri Lanka
They envision a world where all children can pursue a quality education that enables them to reach their full potential and contribute to their communities and the world.
Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in low-income communities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organisations and governments, they develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.
Phone: 0112 362 832
Social Media:
Facebook: Room to Read Sri Lanka
Instagram: roomtoread_srilanka
Twitter: roomtoread
Website: https://www.roomtoread.org/countries/sri-lanka/
Without Borders
Its mission is to create high-quality, outcome-driven learning experiences that are affordable and accessible. Their projects include Idea Labs (a learning centre), CSR partnership projects, E-learning, Tilli (a social-emotional learning tool) and more!
Phone: 0767 662 881
Email: team@withoutborders.net
Social Media:
Facebook: Without Borders
Instagram: withoutborders.lk
Address:
C3,
Warakatenna,
0110,
Dehiowita,
Sri Lanka
Website: https://www.withoutborders.net/
Hope this article helps! Children must be given the utmost protection and care in order for them to achieve success and contribute to the development of our country. There are many organisations that can extend the support these future generations need. Have we missed out on any places? Let us know in the comments below!