COLOMBO, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Over 9,000 children living in detention homes in Sri Lanka will receive a monthly allowance of 5,000 rupees (about 17 U.S. dollars) starting Tuesday, according to Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Paulraj said the government has allocated 1 billion rupees (about 3.4 million dollars) for 2025 to support street children and those in detention centers. She said Tuesday's launch would mark the start of the project and benefit 9,191 children.
Paulraj said that Sri Lanka places children in detention homes and child development centers when they do not receive adequate care or protection at home. Those included children who have lost their parents, have lost custody, are under the custody of one or both parents, or have been orphaned or abandoned.
Some academics estimate that there are about 30,000 street children in Sri Lanka. ■
