Over 25% of the population of Sri Lanka is aged 14 or below, and the average age is 30. Sri Lanka is one of the fastest growing economies in the World, but the gap between the upper/middle class and the rest of the population is getting ever larger. There is little accurate data to indicate the number of children living on the streets, so the estimates vary dramatically from 1000 to 40,000. The number of child labourers is estimated to be around 100,000 to 500,000, and they are primarily engaged in agricultural work such as rice production. Sri Lanka, 2014
Young girl sitting outside her home. Ella, Sri Lanka, 2014
Vigelata aged 49 lives in her twenty year old mud house built by her late father-in-law. Vigelata has four sons, three of whom are in school. The eldest is unemployed and passes the time with Vigelata. They both scan the area for tourists. They offer a cup of tea and a wonderful view from her home of the surrounding area, in exchange for a small donation. Vigelata's husband works in Colombo as a truck driver and rarely has the time or money to come and visit. Ella, Sri Lanka, 2014