COLOMBO, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Ministry of Women and Child Affairs on Wednesday announced a special program aimed at safeguarding children affected by the recent floods and landslides.

Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Namal Sudarshana said that more than 100,000 children have been seriously affected nationwide, with the highest number reported in Puttalam District, where 43,000 children have been affected.

The deputy minister said the government will hold discussions with the International Children's Fund on Dec. 11-12 to develop a support program for affected children.

Following these meetings, the ministry and international partners are expected to launch a joint initiative to strengthen child protection mechanisms in disaster-affected areas, he said. ■