Women Parliamentarians Caucus celebrates International Women’s Day amidst obstacles

MPs and Councillors of Local Government institutions being escorted to the event

 A section of the gathering 

Text and Pix by P.D. De Silva 

Speaking at the International Women’s Day Celebrations organised by the female councillors of the

Ven. Pallaewaththay Sonuththara

MP Rohini Kavirathne

MP Manjula Dissanayaka

CMEV National Coordinator Manjula Gajanayaka

Matale District Local Government institutions, SJB MP and member of the Women’s Parliamentarians Caucus Rohini Kavirathne said that her male counterparts at Diyawanna had threatened everyone possible to abstain from attending the ceremony held at Pallepola Matale on Sunday (7).

Of the 12 members of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus only MP Manjula Dissanayaka and Kavirathne attend the event while MP Sita Arambepola and Chairperson of the Caucus Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle addressed the event via Zoom.

The theme for Sunday’s event was ‘Campaign to Eliminate Sexual Harassment in the World of Work’ and held in memory of late Ehelepola Kumarihany who was compelled to face the wrath of King Rajasinghe who murdered her children before her eyes before murdering her.

Member of Parliament Manjula Dissanayaka said that even though 52% of Sri Lanka’s population comprised women, there were only 12 female MPs among the 225 Members of Parliament.

Chief Incumbent of the Ehelepola Purana Viharaya Palawahthay Souththara said that it would have been more beneficial to the country if all 225 members of Parliament were females.

Delivering the Keynote Address at the event, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence National Coordinator Manjula Gajanayaka said that although there were 1,926 female councillors in Local Government bodies due to the 25% quota granted to females, female representation in Parliament was under par.

He said that from 1947 to date 2,899 MPs had been elected to Parliament, but of that only 133 were females.

He also added that only a handful of females had been appointed to decision-making positions in Parliament as well as public services. The election monitor cited the Election Commission of Sri Lanka as an example and said that no females had ever been appointed as members of the Election Commission.

He pointed out that there were no allegations of corruption against females appointed as MPs and councillors but these females had no opportunity to stand against the corruption that takes place in their institutions.

A considerable gathering of female representatives of Local Government institutions in the Matale District including the Mayor of Dambulla and Chairman of the Palepola Pradeshiya Sabha attended the event.