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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasised the significant achievement of having a noteworthy percentage of women elected to Parliament by public vote.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the first meeting of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of the Tenth Parliament on Tuesday.
She highlighted the importance of conducting the activities of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus beyond political ideologies and fostering a collaborative spirit.
Deputy Chairpersons of Committees, Hemali Weerasekara, and the Secretary to the Caucus and Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera were also present at the Caucus meeting held. Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, was elected as the new Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, during the meeting. Her name was proposed by Samanmalee Gunasingha and was seconded by Anushka Thilakarathne.
Two Deputy Co-Chairs were also elected. The name of Chamindrani Bandara Kirielle was proposed by Rohini Kumari Wijerathna and was seconded by Thushari Jayasingha.
Samanmalee Gunasingha was also elected as a Deputy Co-Chair, following her name being proposed by Krishnan Kaleichelvi and was seconded by Deepthi Wasalage.
Chairperson MP Saroja Savithri Paulraj expressed her aspirations for the Caucus, underscoring the vision of creating a nation where every woman feels safe and secure. The Caucus also decided to establish a subcommittee, led by the two Deputy Co-Chairs, to review and report on future programmes and initiatives. Upon a proposal by MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, it was decided to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on December 6.
The session was attended by several Parliamentarians, including Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, Samanmalee Gunasingha, Chamindrani Bandara Kirielle, Deepthi Wasalage, Thushari Jayasingha, Oshani Umanga, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathna, Krishnan Kaleichelvi, Lakmali Hemachandra, Geetha Herath, Hiruni Wijesinghe, Anushka Thilakarathne, Sagarika Athauda, M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani, Nilusha Lakmali, A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Hasara Liyanage and Ambika Samivel, among others.
