World Children’s Day is being celebrated today, October 1, under the theme “Strengthened Minds – Enriched Children.”

To mark World Children’s Day, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs declared a National Children’s Day Week from September 25, with a series of programmes organized for children.

The final programme of the week is scheduled to be held this morning at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Speaking on the occasion of World Children’s Day, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Savithri Paulraj stressed that parents should dedicate themselves to protecting and securing a better future for their children.

Meanwhile, Consultant Specialist in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Ragama Medical Faculty, Dr. Miyuru Chandradasa, said parents should give greater attention to their children throughout the year rather than limiting their focus to a single day.

As part of World Children’s Day celebrations, children below the age of 12 have also been given free admission today to the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens and the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

Director General of the Department of National Zoological Gardens, Chandana Rajapaksa, said the Dehiwala Zoo has organized a number of special programmes for children to mark the occasion.