The news of a five-year-old child’s death in Mulleriyawa has already sparked various discourses on social media and in general society. Many seem to be too quick to determine who is to blame, and in that race, it seems as if Sri Lanka is focused on the parental responsibility aspect of this incident. There is no debate that the abovementioned death is tragic and should not have occurred. Sadly, the outcry and mourning of the loss of this young Sri Lankan’s life, will eventually end many would forget this incident, the same way we forgot many others that occurred before. However, as a nation we need to do better.

If we are to learn anything from the Mulleriyawa’s incident, and the many infant/child tragedies of the past, the public should look at not just what transpired, but what created a situation where such a tragedy was possible. Otherwise, our criticisms or assessments of the abovementioned incident would be unfair, and most importantly, not teach us the lessons we ought to learn. Many have expressed different opinions as to who was in the wrong in the Mulleriyawa’s incident. While some blame the child’s grandfather for being negligent, some believe that it was the child’s parents that should be held accountable. While some think that the grass cutter was at the wrong place at the wrong time, some feel that he should take the responsibility for what befell the child. However, when looking at the larger picture, we can see many victims of circumstances - circumstances that were created or exacerbated by socio-economic and poor-governance related issues as well. It is clear that the child’s mother had to leave the child with the grandfather as she had to make ends meet, while the grandfather and grandmother had to, despite their old age and failing health, become a babysitter. This has been a cultural phenomenon, one which has come under significant strain in recent times.

Leaving children, including those who are merely a couple of months old, in the care of grandparents is not new to Sri Lanka. In many cases, it is due to familiar bonds, or the belief that leaving children with a blood relative, even if they were incapable of handling a child, is safer. However, it is quite common to leave children with grandparents, regardless of their age and mental and physical capabilities, because parents lack the wherewithal necessary to hire a capable and skilled person or an institution to look after their children. Although daycare centres or babysitter services were considered within reach of those in the middle class families not too long ago, yet in the prevailing dire economic situations, it has become a luxury only a few could afford. In the case of daily wage workers, the ability to obtain such services is significantly low or near impossible, leaving with them with the options of either taking their children to workplaces, which in many cases is risky, or leaving their children with grandparents, in which cases there is very little assurance about children’s safety, as many elderly persons have their own challenges to face, with detonating attentiveness and mobility, being some of the issues.

Not just children, grandparents are also impacted with the socio-economic crisis that we have all weathered in the recent past. Having to look after grandchildren because grandparents cannot refuse that support for their struggling children is also challenging, and in some cases, could even be called abusive, due to many reasons such as grandparents’ waning mental and physical ability, health concerns, stress caused by the prevailing socio-economic crisis, and most importantly, the essential rest needed in their old age. Although some families may have the resources or support systems which make it possible for grandparents to look after grandchildren with less hassle. However, for underprivileged families, especially those with a high age gap between grandparents and grandchildren, these are challenges concerning children’s early development and safety as well as grandparents’ well-being.

Needless to say, in that context, it is important to understand that difficulties pertaining to looking after the children of working parents is a social issue that needs to be addressed through the ongoing social security programmes. May not be the most ideal solution, yet, one possibility is introducing low-cost daycare centres or such services at a concessional rate for children of underprivileged families. This, if done right, being properly regulated with good training and ample resources could be a lifeline for many women to remain in their careers or continue to be a part of the nation’s workforce. Flexible working hours or paid leave programs for both parents would also help ease the hardships faced by low income families.  At the same time, there is a need to provide more support, staff and resources for public officials entrusted with ensuring children’s safety. Another important aspect is for the government to introduce well-resourced programmes to identify children who live in risky situations, and plan careful interventions or support packages to prevent tragedies such as the Mulleriyawa one.