Dr. Thushara Wickramanayake calls for emphasis on children's consent

Child rights activist Dr. Thushara Wickramanayake has advocated for a greater emphasis on children’s consent regarding physical contact. She argued that the traditional distinction between ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’ should be expanded to include a child’s right to decide if they are comfortable with being touched.

Dr. Wickramanayake highlighted an interaction involving Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who reportedly asked a boy for permission before placing hands on his shoulders during a petition handover by the Stop Child Cruelty Trust. While noting the importance of such respect for consent, she criticized other interactions involving politicians and children as unacceptable, citing them as evidence of broader child protection concerns in Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, she criticized authorities for failing to implement the National Child Protection Policy and called for compulsory, age-appropriate sexuality education to empower children to exercise their right to refuse contact.