Speaker reaffirms Parliament’s support for National Commission on Women

Colombo, June 25 (Daily Mirror) - Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to providing every possible support to strengthen the work of the National Commission on Women and safeguard its independence.

The assurance was given during a meeting with Chairperson Ambassador Grace Asirwatham and members of the Commission at the Parliamentary Complex.

Welcoming the newly appointed members, the Speaker described the establishment of the National Commission on Women by the Tenth Parliament as a landmark step in promoting and protecting the rights and interests of women in Sri Lanka.

He noted that the Commission has been entrusted with a vital national responsibility, representing more than half of the country’s population, and highlighted the importance of carrying out its mandate with independence, integrity and accountability.

Recalling Sri Lanka’s pioneering role as the first nation to elect a woman as Prime Minister, Dr. Wickramaratne said Sri Lankan women have achieved significant progress across many sectors compared with their regional counterparts. He expressed confidence that the Commission would further advance women’s empowerment through effective policies and impartial decision-making.

The discussion also reviewed the Commission’s administrative and infrastructure needs, along with its planned programmes and future direction.

The meeting was attended by Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, Chairperson Grace Asirwatham, and Commission members K.D.R. Olga, Shreen Saroor, Janaha Selvaras, Jayanthi Uthpala, Dr. Padma Gunaratne and Dr. Kalana Senarath.