Due place for women under this GOVT

Shirley WIJESINGHE

Women representation in politics was stabilized for the first time as a matter of policy by the UPFA Government under the concept of Mahinda Chinthana, said Youth Affairs Minister, Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

Minister Wanniarachchi said the policy of stabilizing women representation in politics had been a great success at the recent Wayamba and Central Provincial Provincial Council elections when all the women candidates were voted to office with substantial majorities.

She was speaking at the media conference organized yesterday by the UPFA in connection with International Women’s day celebrations.

The Minister appreciated some arrangements introduced in accordance with the Mahinda Chinthana for the welfare of Sri Lankan women namely Mathata Thitha for the first time in the country foregoing Government revenue.

Wanniarachchi highlighted the other arrangements made by the Government such as special tribute to mothers and families of war heroes and decisions taken through the Gama Neguma development drive to build a mother-centred society toward moral uplift.

She introduced Ashoka Lankathilaka, SLFP Women Federation General Secretary and the Colombo district candidate for the forthcoming PC election as a political personality who came to the forefront from grass-root level without having any political lineage.

SLFP Women’s Federation General Secretary Ashoka Lankathilake said the Sri Lankan population comprised 52 per cent of females.

The country’s policy on migrant workers should be based specially on the priority basis of sending skilled workers, because unskilled women more often than not fall victim to abuse, Lankathilake said.