Sri Lankans have gone through many crises over the past year. Their only hope is to return to some sort of normalcy this year with renewed hopes. With escalating migration rates, poverty levels and social indicators such as child malnutrition, school dropout rates etc., many believe that lawmakers have a bigger responsibility to set things straight this year. Let’s hear it from a few women who have been advocating for the rights of animals, children, women and climate change. 

“My resolution is to help as many in need as I can” – Alanki

Sri Lankans were affected by several crises during the past year including prolonged power cuts, fuel and gas queues while being burdened with the soaring cost of living. As a result, people took to the streets and agitated against the previous regime. The aragalaya witnessed the power of the people when the former regime was overthrown and people called for the abolishing of the executive presidency while putting an end to corruption.

"I have several concerns for the New Year which might pose challenges for most Sri Lankans given the current economic crisis. It is deeply worrying to think that many would be faced with severe hardships due to the difficult times ahead. Child malnutrition and food insecurity in many parts of Sri Lanka are especially concerning. Many make new year resolutions as the new year dawns and I think this year my resolution will be to help as many in need as I can in these difficult times. Little things go a long way! I do hope we can come together as Sri Lankans to help each other and to emerge stronger than before from this crisis.” – Alanki Kishani Perera, media personality

“Lobbying the Animal Welfare Bill a must” – Panchali

Even though Sri Lanka is blessed with an abundance of flora and fauna, Animal Rights activists have raised concerns over animal cruelty experienced by various species of animals from stray dogs to captive animals etc.

“From an animal rights perspective, I think the most important thing to look forward to in 2023 is the Animal Welfare Bill. It is in parliament since February 2022 but hasn’t been tabled yet. That needs to be taken up as a priority at the parliament and passed without any more amendments.

We also hope to receive a final judgment on the court case on Regulations for Tame Elephant Welfare and regularisation of registration which also will decide on the final fate of the 38 elephant victims. As many as 433 elephants have died as of December 29, 2022. The conditions of our Zoo animals including elephants at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage are deteriorating quite badly. We need to take serious steps to improve the welfare of captive animals in Dehiwala and Pinnawala.

We also need to put a stop to breeding non-native animals, and elephants and send the lonely bear to a sanctuary abroad where he can live freely compared to the concrete enclosure he is living in at Dehiwala Zoo. Sri Lankans as a society seems to not understand the value of freedom which I think is the reason why we tend to not understand the value of freedom for animals. So I hope 2023 will be a year where Sri Lankans start seeing the value of freedom to humans and be empathic to each other as well as towards animals.” – Panchali Panapitiya, Animal Rights Activist 

“Prioritise on improving food security, disaster prevention and conservation” - Melani

Changing weather patterns, drops in air quality levels, and adverse climatic conditions have raised concerns among climate change activists and environmentalists who have been advocating the importance of reducing the carbon footprint for instance.

“Sri Lanka is walking into 2023 with threatened food security reporting one of the highest child malnourishment rates globally. In addition to economic, political and energy crises we experienced several environmental disasters in 2022 as well. As an island located close to the equator, Sri Lanka is one of the countries most threatened by the Climate Crisis. It is the women and children who are at the forefront and therefore, are the main victims of these crises.

Improving food security, disaster prevention and conservation should be given prominence along with Human Rights including Indigenous Rights if we are to provide sustainable solutions for these issues. Strengthening laws to prevent pollution, and increasing taxes on polluters would be crucial to ensure public and environmental health and also to improve the economy. 

Deliberation between communities should be supported for the much-needed reconciliation of long-lasting social and environmental issues. All in all, we need to start looking at new systems that recognise the value of the natural environment and the well-being of the people. We need to recognise that the old systems have expired as we walk into a new era with the impending climate crisis while having new tools including technology which can help us discover new solutions. Unless we recognise the problems within the current governance and economic systems and look at new systems to prepare for the upcoming challenges in the next decades the dire results might include starvation, conflict, natural disasters and more.” - Melani Gunathilaka representing Climate Action Now Sri Lanka

“Adopt Child Protection Policy as a top national policy” - Milani

An exponential increase in the number of abuse and harassment experienced by women and children has raised eyebrows among the public. A majority of Child Rights activists are of the view that Sri Lanka is no more a safe country for children.

“It is time to start implementing the solutions that have been discussed for the past decade, the ones which many talented scholars and actors on Child Protection in Sri Lanka worked tirelessly on. 
We are all aware of the challenges and enough time has been spent on planning, strategizing and launching in luxury hotels. It is time for action. It is time for first responders and grassroots-level actors to be empowered with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to implement and streamline the existing system. It is our opinion that for the much-needed ‘system change’, at least for now, policymakers must empower and encourage all state actors who are working with women and children to be more energetic, empathetic, mindful and efficient not just with the public they meet on a daily basis but also with themselves, with their peers, juniors and with their own families. 

We have had quite a few cases in the past few months where the perpetrator or accused has been a public servant working in the same sector. This is why we need a system of reporting and monitoring, a system where the public service is taken care of not only by way of wages but by way of service resources such as mental health assistance. We see a colossal need for mental health assistance not just for victims of crime but for first responders and grassroots-level actors including officers of law enforcement. 

Sri Lanka as a state must adopt a Child Protection policy as a top national policy. Child Protection starts within the family unit, the smallest unit in society. A protected child lives within a strong family unit, a strong family unit lives in a strong society, and a strong society creates a strong state! 

Here’s wishing for a hopeful safe Sri Lanka for our children in this New Year 2023 !” – Milani Salpitikorala, Founder, Child Protection Force