Sri Lanka, Oct. 16 -- The ongoing debate about abolishing corporal punishment in Sri Lankan schools is lively. It is also deplorable because, as far as this writer is concerned, the consensus should be overwhelmingly towards abolishing corporal punishment. Unfortunately, opinion seems to be strongly for retaining a sadistic and cruel system of punishment which is now illegal in most countries.

Let's look at the international picture. Corporal or physical punishment against children in any form is totally banned in 68 countries, while such punitive action in schools is banned in 128 countries, including our neighbour India. To look at the South Asian region is eye-opening.

It is banned in Pakistan following the Prohibition of Corporal Pu...