2025-07-31
Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that her expectation is not only to have women elected as political representatives but also the empower women in grassroots-level political activism. She pointed out that the election of twenty women from her party to the Tenth Parliament is the result of a sustained initiative to empower women in politics, and that the objective of the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus is to continue that effort beyond party divisions.
The Prime Minister expressed these views at a recent meeting (Jul. 24) held in Parliament of the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus chaired by Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj. The meeting aimed at gathering public opinion on increasing women’s political representation in local government institutions, provincial councils, and Parliament, as well as ensuring equal opportunities and inclusive participation of women in Sri Lankan politics.
Hon. Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj emphasized that women face challenges in participating actively in politics due to the online and cyber space environment, where they are subjected to humiliation, shame, and rejection. Therefore, she noted, it is the responsibility of all political parties to provide the necessary support and create an enabling environment for women to engage actively in politics.
It was also pointed out that, due to the failure to properly recognize grassroots-level politically active women, individuals with no political literacy are sometimes included in candidate nomination lists during elections. The Chairperson stressed that women involved in party politics should be individuals who have studied the ideology of their political party and are active at the grassroots level, identifying the issues of the people.
Discussions were also held on allocating a quota for women's representation in provincial council and parliamentary elections, making women politically aware as a state responsibility, and ensuring that the domestic care economy does not become a barrier to women entering politics. It was suggested that Gender Sensitive Studies be introduced from school level onwards, and that designated quotas for women be established in specific constituencies during elections.
Issues faced by women when going abroad were also discussed. The Chairperson stated that her ministry has already taken several steps to address the violence experienced by women and children. She noted that the proposal introduced in 2017 to prevent mothers of children under five years of age from going abroad was implemented only for a short period of two years and was later amended to reduce the age limit of the child to two years.
She further emphasized that out of the 1.2 million migrant workers currently abroad, around 800,000 are unskilled workers, and as a result, they are without employment contracts, fixed salaries, protection, insurance, or other facilities. The Ministry is working to find solutions to these issues.
Party leaders and secretaries who attended the meeting also expressed their views. The Commissioner General of Elections, Mr. Saman Sri Ratnayake, stated that all political parties in Sri Lanka have been informed to submit proposals for the 2026–2030 operational plan.
This meeting was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, members of the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus, party secretaries and representatives from all political parties, the Commissioner General of Elections, and other stakeholders.
2026-09-02
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations focused its attention on the “InSA” (Integrated Systematic Approach for the Family Development of Migrant Workers) Project, which is to be implemented to ensure the welfare of families and the protection of children of workers migrating for foreign employment.The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Committee held on the Aug. 21st, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.It was revealed at the meeting that the programme, which is to be implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to commence at the Divisional Secretariat level from October 1, 2026.It was stated that the primary objective of the programme is to develop family development plans focusing on key areas including the long-term financial management of families of migrant workers, child health and protection, employment training, and small business and export development.The Committee particularly emphasized the need to establish a formal plan for the care, protection and education of children when mothers with children between the ages of 2 and 18 migrate overseas, covering the period during which the mothers are abroad. Attention was also drawn to addressing mothers with children below the age of two in accordance with the existing legal and administrative procedures.The programme is expected to obtain the contribution of Child Rights Promotion Officers, who will provide necessary interventions concerning child protection and family welfare at three stages: prior to departure overseas, while the parent is overseas, and following the family's return to Sri Lanka.Accordingly, it was stated that Child Rights Promotion Officers will intervene to ensure that alternative care plans prepared for children can be practically implemented, identify situations involving risks, and prepare special care plans where necessary. Attention will also be given to providing psychosocial support, including strengthening family relationships, to families returning to Sri Lanka after living overseas.Furthermore, “InSA Committees” are to be established at the Divisional Secretariat level. These committees are expected to work under the chairmanship of the Assistant Divisional Secretary, together with Child Rights Promotion Officers, Early Childhood Development Officers and other relevant field officers, it was stated at the Committee meeting.It was also revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been proposed between the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs concerning child protection-related activities.The Committee also emphasized the importance of all workers leaving the country for foreign employment registering with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. As there may be difficulties in implementing welfare and protection programmes for the families of individuals who travel overseas through informal channels, including on tourist visas, due to the absence of official data on such persons, the Committee stressed the need to maintain a formal data system on workers departing the country for foreign employment.During the implementation of the programme, progress is to be monitored at the district level through District Secretaries. The relevant parties were instructed to submit a report on the progress of the “InSA” Project to the Committee by February 2027.
2026-09-02
The Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill was recently considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection.The matter was discussed when the Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika. A group of officials, including Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, were summoned to the meeting.The Bill has been introduced to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009. The Act was enacted in 2009 to carry out functions including the coordination of activities between the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, in accordance with the requirements of the time.However, considering the current situation in the country, it has been determined that there is no longer a need to maintain a dedicated office or position for the coordination of the three Armed Forces. Accordingly, under the ongoing restructuring process of the three Armed Forces, such coordination is being carried out through the Ministry of Defence.It was also observed that, given the country’s current economic situation, transferring the functions of the office to the Ministry of Defence could reduce the financial burden on the Government.Accordingly, the Sectoral Oversight Committee approved the Bill, which is scheduled to be taken up for debate in Parliament on September 9 for the Second Reading.Several Members of Parliament serving on the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection participated in the meeting.
2026-09-02
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability emphasized the need to urgently formulate a national policy to address the human-elephant conflict, bringing together all relevant stakeholders and institutions.The Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy. During the meeting, discussions were held on the research findings and policy recommendations of a project jointly implemented by the Coalition for Inclusive Impact (CII), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA).Attention was focused on managing the human-elephant conflict, meeting the food and water requirements of wild elephants, protecting the Muthurajawela wetland ecosystem, improving the livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities, and enhancing community participation in environmental conservation.The Committee also pointed out the need for an appropriate management programme to minimize the risk of elephants entering human settlements in response to challenges relating to water sources and food resources within wild elephant habitats.Attention was also drawn to the need to expedite the declaration of six elephant corridors on a priority basis among the identified elephant corridors, improve habitats within wildlife reserves, and strengthen awareness programmes for local communities.Meanwhile, discussions were held on the need to properly survey and demarcate State-owned lands within the Muthurajawela wetland ecosystem, as well as strengthen coordination among relevant institutions to prevent unauthorized activities.The Committee also focused on the challenges faced by small-scale fishing communities and possible measures that could be taken to strengthen their livelihoods.The Committee further emphasized the need to take measures based on scientific research and data to address environmental issues, including the human-elephant conflict; strengthen coordination among relevant government institutions; and study successful approaches that are suitable for Sri Lanka.Several officials and Committee members, including Hon. Members of Parliament Kings Nelson, Susanta Kumara Nawarathna, Kitnan Selvaraj, Attorney-at-Law Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law Bhagya Sri Herath, Sudath Balagalla, and M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani, participated in the meeting.
2026-09-02
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development instructed relevant officials to take immediate steps to implement the national-level programme formulated to control water pollution in the Diyawanna Oya and the water bodies surrounding the Parliament premises, following approval by the Cabinet of Ministers.The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development met in Parliament under the chairmanship of its member, Hon. Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera. The Committee considered the final report of the task force appointed to investigate the discoloration of the water in Diyawanna Oya.The report identified the discharge of domestic wastewater, commercial and industrial waste into the water system surrounding Diyawanna Oya and Parliament as the main sources of pollution. It has proposed a three-phase management plan comprising short-, medium- and long-term measures.Accordingly, the plan focuses on identifying and controlling locations where waste is directly discharged into waterways, preventing solid waste from entering waterways, establishing wastewater treatment systems, and continuously monitoring water quality.The Committee also stressed the need to improve sanitation facilities in low-income settlements, enforce the law against individuals and institutions that illegally dispose of waste, and strengthen coordination among the relevant government institutions.The Committee further emphasized the need to treat this programme as a national priority and implement it expeditiously after obtaining Cabinet approval.Committee members, Hon. Members of Parliament Manjula Suraveera Arachchi, Ravindra Bandara, Chathura Galappaththi, Shantha Padma Kumara Subasinghe, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, Dhanushka Ranganath and Jagath Vithana, also participated in the meeting.
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