The ten thousand rupee fine for employing child labor will be increased to one hundred thousand rupees.

The Women, Young Persons and Children (Employment) (Amendment) Bill, which includes increasing the fine for child labour from ten thousand rupees to one hundred thousand rupees, was passed in Parliament. Commencing the debate, Minister of Child and Women Affairs, Ms. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, stated that the employment of children under 16 years of age is completely prohibited, and the employment of those between 16 and 18 years of age in hazardous occupations is also prevented.

She also stated that children were exploited under the previously lenient laws, and accordingly, steps have been taken to increase the number of prohibited employment sectors for children from 51 to 71. The Minister further added that this fine amendment will be implemented in addition to other penalties imposed by the courts.

Matale District MP Rohini Kaviratne, speaking on the occasion, pointed out that child labour cannot be prevented solely by increasing fines, and that remedies should be applied to the root causes affecting children's school dropout, such as economic hardship, family background, and domestic violence. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that the weakening of parents' livelihoods hinders the protection of children's rights. He also pointed out that the younger generation has been left helpless due to the inactivation of the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour and the halt of the Israeli employment program, which has forced them to pay large sums of money to the private sector.

Explaining the government's policy intervention, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that educational reforms have been introduced to create a safe school environment by retaining children for a 13-year educational period. Accordingly, a new curriculum has been introduced for Grade 1, and steps have been taken to implement it for Grades 2 and 6 in 2027, and to allocate 1900 million rupees in 2026 for the development of primary education infrastructure, she said. She also requested principals to allow children to spend their school holidays freely.

Kegalle District MP Sagarika Athauda emphasized that the government will not allow the illegal use of child labour and that committees have even been established for the safety of children. Kalutara District MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, speaking in Parliament, questioned the readiness to extend the retirement age of judges to 65 or 67 years and the denial of an opportunity for the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to comment on it, and pointed out that both businessmen and the public are facing severe difficulties due to the existing tax burden.

Kandy District MP Chamindrani Kiriella drew the attention of the House to the issues arising in establishing the paternity of children born outside of marriage. She emphasized the need to empower the courts to conduct DNA tests to remove obstacles to children's school enrollment while protecting the reputation of the child and the mother.