Uganda praises Lanka's efforts to protect women and children

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Steps taken jointly by the government and the Child Development and Women's Affairs Ministry to protect and safeguard the rights of children and women came in for high praise from Ugandan First Lady Janet Museveni.

First lady Museveni while drawing her attention on the fruitful measures taken towards child protection and women empowerment, said the Sri Lankan government has been a role model in this regard. The qualitative and quantitative steps taken to strengthen the economy of widows, resulting from three decades of terrorism were also highly appreciated. Child Development and Women's Affairs Minister Tissa Karaliyadda said that the government does not hesitate to take tough action against harassment of women and children. Several now laws are to be introduced to further strengthen the rights of women and children.

Child Development and Women's Affairs Deputy Minister MLAM Hizbulah praised Uganda for standing with Sri Lanka at the Human Right Commission in Geneva when false and fabricated allegations were levelled against it. The deputy minister said the entire country affected by LTTE terrorism has now reached normalcy.

"As a result of the peaceful atmosphere, the entire country has been placed on an accelerated development track," he added.