Report says children are being pushed into care homes as a result of poverty

The report by Save the Children (Sri Lanka) reveals that children are been pushed in to care homes as a means of escaping poverty.

Malik Kalyanaratna, spokeswomen for the Save the Children said : “children’s rights are largely violated at these homes”.

The study was carried out in 329 state-run and voluntary institutions.

About half of the number of children studied in voluntary institutions was there for reasons of poverty, and over 80% of children living in these orphanages have one or more parent living.

The emotional quality of care within institutions is not satisfactory, according to the report.

The facilities are also not into stranded says the report.

In the North-East,38% of the institutions had no beds for children, there were no play areas in around 44% of the homes.

Summing up the situation in most homes, the report says that children feel that there is lack of privacy, dignity and individuality in these homes.

Many children think that they are treated as adult prisoners under house arrest, says Kalyanaratna.

The report has called for a number of steps to be taken by the authorities to better the situation.

Among them are a individual care plan for each child ,banning corporal punishment better contact with local communities, comprehensive monitoring and registration.