Institutional challenges and gaps in child protection interventions in Sri Lanka: A case study analysis

Abstract

Background: In Sri Lanka, child protection is a fundamental responsibility of the government, involving multiple agencies such as the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, and law enforcement. The aim is to explore challenges faced by institutions in child protection interventions, for example, bureaucratic inertia, failure in coordination, duplication of roles, and policy vacuums. Case study: This study examined a case of a six-year-old girl who was abused under legal guardianship, separation from her mother, living with a mentally challenged father, and cruelty by the class teacher. The data drawn from case management and legal files. supplemented by data obtained from principal officers via interviews, with the application of content analysis to unveil themes pertaining to institutional responses, intervention effectiveness, and systemic obstacles. The results mirror both weaknesses and strengths in Sri Lanka's child protection system. Although some measures proved effective in securing children's immediate safety, difficulties such as coordination problems between agencies, unclear role definitions, procedural delays, and policy implementation shortcomings detracted from the overall effectiveness of protection work. Systemic weaknesses and institutional inefficiencies were the reasons for delays in safeguarding children's best interests, and the necessity for improved service delivery and better interagency working is highlighted. Conclusion: The case study emphasized the lack of coordinated response that is needed for a complex case of this nature. Inter-agency coordination, policy framework improvement, a child-centered approach, and institutional professionalism are required to improve intervention effectiveness.