Supporting the ban on corporal punishment of children

In July this year, the parliament took a historic step. It amended the Penal Code, banning all forms of corporal punishment inflicted on children. The government needs be appreciated for taking this bold step. From ancient times, our country has recognised the criminality of imposing corporal punishment as a form of discipline on children.

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Our ancient chronicle the 'Chulavamsa' -- dating back to the 13th century -- records a law banning the use of corporal punishment on both adults and children as quoted by 15-year-old Hesindi Rivisinghe, a student from Galle.

Corporal punishment became part of the school administration system after British missionaries established the colonial education system in which corporal punishment was accepted.

This has been a burning issue for many years. Our Courts have ruled against imposition of all forms of punishments against children, but no other political party has had the strength of character to ban corporal punishment of children perhaps for fear of losing votes at the hustings. Corporal punishment gained acceptance with the introduction of the British colonial education system.

Way back in 2019, then JVP member Bimal Ratnayake speaking during the debate on the Expenditure Head of the Ministry of Women & Child Affairs and Dry Zone Development called for a ban on corporal punishment on school children. He pointed out that there had been no history of corporal punishment being practiced under the pirivena system.