Women Parliamentarians vow to stand by first female DIG

• Female MPs say they stand with Bimshani Jasin Arachchi, whose appointment has been challenged in SC
• Say female recruits to SL Police should have right to regular promotions like male recruits

Members of the Women’s Parliamentarians Caucus stated yesterday that they would stand for the rights and job security of recently-appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police Bimshani Jasin Arachchi, whose appointment has been challenged in the Supreme Court. 

She was appointed as the first female DIG of the country last year. 

Women Parliamentarians Caucus Chairperson State Minister of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle condemned the challenge to the appointment of Bimshani Jasin Arachchi, who was the Director of the Police Children’s and Women’s Bureau.

Fernandopulle said the Women’s Caucus was pleased with the appointment of the female DIG and that it considered the appointment of a woman to a higher post in an institution such as the Sri Lanka Police, where the majority was male, as a contribution to gender equality. 

While expressing her displeasure over the situation in relation to the DIG, the State Minister said she believed that if Sri Lankan women were to be recruited into the Police, they should have the right to receive their promotions regularly. 

Fernandopulle addressed the media yesterday along with State Minister Dr. Seetha Arambepola and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Rohini Wijeratne on the issue. Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff Kushani Rohanadheera was also present at the press conference.

The MPs pointed out that being a woman, it was very unfair to not have the opportunity to get higher positions in a certain field. 

Deputy Chairperson of the Caucus, State Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation Dr. Seetha Arambepola said that all women Parliamentarians, setting aside political differences, condemned the involvement of certain groups in legal action challenging the post of DIG Bimshani Jasinha Arachchi, and urged all women in this country as well as all parents who wished their daughters success, to unite. 

Speaking at the event, Deputy Chairperson of the Caucus MP Rohini Wijeratne said that it was unacceptable that the appointment was being challenged. 

“The harassment of women in this manner is a major obstacle to the progress of the country and action should be taken to stop the physical or mental harassment of women, especially in the workplace,” she said. 

She pointed out that there were many examples of women being appointed as national leaders in Sri Lanka, such as the appointment of Sirimavo Bandaranaike as the world’s first female Prime Minister, the appointment of Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga as the world’s first Executive President and the appointment of Shirani Bandaranayake as the Chief Justice. 

The MP said thus it was inappropriate to say that a woman could not hold the post of Deputy Inspector General of Police. 

The Chairperson further stated that the purpose of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus was to stand for the rights of women in the Legislature and therefore, the Caucus would inform all political parties and encourage them to increase the contribution of women in active politics in the country.