In developing countries, according to the International Labour Organization, approximately 250 million children between ages 5-14 are engaged in work and around 120 million are full time workers. In Sri Lanka, many under the age of 18 are employed in the informal sector or have undertaken illegal occupations. They also do not receive any protection or benefit through the law. Many of these practices take place due to the poor economic conditions in the country. The adverse impacts on children as a result are intense and they are deprived of education, love, protection and many basic needs. This study outlines a project undertaken by the Center for Women’s Research Sri Lanka, to chiefly assess the extent of non-schooling children and child labour in the country, to initiate programmes aimed at reducing child labour and finally to make primary and secondary education universal in the selected areas.