claim: Around 30,000 children are begging in the streets of Sri Lanka !!
evidence: Media outlets, including newspapers, play a significant role in shaping public opinion. Recently, they have reported figures on the number of street children and child beggars in Sri Lanka, notably claiming that around 30,000 children are begging in the streets. These figures have raised concerns and led to investigations into their accuracy. Our aim here is to provide a comprehensive fact-check on the origins and accuracy of these estimates. [...] Explanation 30,000 Street Children Hypothesis: Reports have cited a figure of 30,000 children currently begging in the streets of Sri Lanka, purportedly based on a survey conducted by Peradeniya University. However, the professor attributed these claims, Professor Wasantha Athukorala, clarified to us that this number is a hypothesis he and a few academics formulated based on informal interviews with residents of several cities in Sri Lanka. This hypothesis lacks formal backing through any survey or research conducted by Peradeniya University, rendering it speculative rather than empirically supported. [...] The claims regarding the number of street children and child beggars in Sri Lanka, particularly the assertion of 30,000 children begging in the streets, lack empirical support and are based on speculative hypotheses rather than formal surveys or research. While concerns regarding the welfare of vulnerable children are valid, it is crucial to rely on verified data and evidence-based research when addressing such issues. Efforts to clarify the origins and accuracy of these estimates should continue through transparent methodologies and collaborations between relevant authorities, academics, and organisations dedicated to child welfare in Sri Lanka.