Country Profile: Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka today, institutional care is the fate of many children who have been abandoned by their parents. According to UNICEF, out of over 21,000 children in orphanages in Sri Lanka, one or both parents of over 19,000 of them are still alive. There are currently 488 voluntary children’s homes in Sri Lanka. Living conditions for children in some of these homes are less than idyllic.

Total Population: 22.9 million

Total children under the age of 18: 7 million

The situation of children in Sri Lanka

The Challenges:

• Over 21,000 children are in orphanages.
• 488 voluntary children’s homes in Sri Lanka
• Hardly any family-based alternatives to orphanages for children requiring out-of-home care.
• Millions of families have emerged from extreme poverty. 23 % of all households are affected by poverty (low income, limited access to health care, inadequate infrastructure, etc).
• A quarter of all households have no access to potable water; 18 % of children have no adequate water supply or sanitary facilities; increased risk of diarrhea, etc.
• 29 % of all children under five suffer from undernourishment and/or malnutrition and consequent disorders, although there is no food shortage in Sri Lanka.
• 12% of young girls marry before the age of 18.

Other Information about Orphaned and Vulnerable Children and Family Care in Sri Lanka

Better Care Network Information on Family-Based Care in Sri Lanka 

More information for prayer at Operation World

"Source: UNICEF, Humanium, SOS Children's Villages International".