Sports Minister joins athletes to celebrate Women’s Day at ‘Her Journey, Her Victory’

Friday, 28 March 2025 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC Sri Lanka) hosted a special women’s celebration forum, ‘Her Journey, Her Victory,’ bringing together inspiring female athletes and key stakeholders to promote gender equity in sports.

The event featured five outstanding female athletes – Amasha De Silva (Athletics), Hiruki De Silva (Swimming), Chamodi Praboda (Cricket), Hansani Gomes (Weightlifting), and Ranithma Liyanage (Badminton) – who shared their remarkable journeys of resilience, ambition, and triumph in sports. The session was expertly moderated by Olympian Niluka Karunaratne, providing an empowering platform for discussion and inspiration.

NOC Sri Lanka President Suresh Subramaniam in his welcome address emphasised the importance of empowering women in sports, stating: “When we empower a woman in sport, we empower a nation. Because her victory is not hers alone – it is a victory for every girl watching, every young woman dreaming, and every society that dares to believe in equality.”

Chief Guest Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fostering gender equity in sports, stating: “As the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, I want to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every female athlete in Sri Lanka has equal opportunities to train, compete, and succeed. We are taking steps to enhance funding, infrastructure, and support systems to create a more inclusive and equitable sporting environment.”

Following his address, the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour participated in the signing of the Consensus Statement on Gender Equity and the Safe Sports Policy of NOC Sri Lanka, further solidifying their commitment to a more inclusive sports culture. The program concluded with remarks from NOC Sri Lanka Gender Equity Committee Chairperson Niloo Jayatilake: “Our celebrated female athletes have truly showcased the dedication and resilience required to excel in sports, from intensive training to the mental strength needed for success. We are thrilled to collaborate with athletes and the NOC Sri Lanka to celebrate the achievements of Sri Lanka’s women athletes through this Women’s Day program.”

The event ended on a powerful note as all participants joined together on stage to sign the Consensus Statement, marking a significant step towards gender equity and safe sports in Sri Lanka.

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