Abstract:
Every child has an important place in the societies all over the world. But there are
places where the children’s rights are violated under the current globalizing economic
environment. Engaging children in various occupations and using them as child labours are
a serious problem identified in many countries including Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, it can
be clearly seen in the tourism industry and in some of the culturally valued places. This
particular study was undertaken to examine the socio-economic and cultural problems of
child labour in Devundara Devalaya, which is a famous religious place in the Southern
Province.
The relevant data were collected using a questionnaire survey, focus group discussions
and through participatory observation. The main respondents were 50 children between the
age of 6 and 18 years. Apart from them, several elders were also interviewed. Data
analyses were done qualitatively using several case studies.
The findings reveal that, there are serious threats to the children in the case of child
labour situations. Children working as beggars and labourers for bringing water and
kerosene oil for boats, child prostitutes, domestic servants, are some of the occupations
which can be identified in this study. Majority of the children studied were dropouts from
school and they have disrupted their education which is one of the main option they would
have for their development.
