Despite State interventions and programmes to reduce gender based violence, the lack of focus and long term commitment is apparent when one compares the achievements of Sri Lanka’s movement against child abuse with the work done to reduce gender based violence. Extensive State commitment on child abuse issues resulted in legislative recognition of the Children’s Charter, establishment of a National Child Protection Authority with full monitoring, investigation and enforcement powers, long term programmes to counter child abuse had a direct impact in lowering levels of child abuse and garnered non governmental and private sector support for such programmes. The situation on addressing gender based violence has been different, thus resulting in the need for more and more effective programming, advocacy and lobbying to reduce GBV and to garner State support for doing so. References Jayasundere R. (2009). Understanding Gendered Violence in Sri Lanka- A programming document for Women Defining Peace.WDP. Sri Lanka. Kottegoda, S. Jayasundere, R. (2004). Gender Based Violence in Sri Lanka – A document for UNFPA. UNFP. Colombo. 84