The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I answer on behalf of the Minister of Women and Child Affairs.

¶ 02 (a) (i) Complaints of domestic violence against women received by the 1938 Women’s Help Line of the National Committee on Women under the Ministry, and by Sri Lanka Police, from 2015 to 2025, are as follows:

¶ 03 Year — 1938 Helpline / Sri Lanka Police / Total 2015 — 399 / 124,907 / 125,306 2016 — 791 / 129,494 / 130,285 2017 — 754 / 127,927 / 128,681 2018 — 846 / 124,224 / 125,070 2019 — 1,173 / 124,703 / 125,876 2020 — 2,324 / 121,513 / 123,837 2021 — 3,499 / 122,778 / 126,277 2022 — 1,796 / 137,677 / 139,473 2023 — 2,034 / 136,221 / 138,255 2024 — 1,534 / 144,024 / 145,558 2025 (up to September) — 1,114 / 111,929 / 113,043

¶ 04 (ii) Measures taken by the Ministry and by the Police are as follows:

¶ 05 A. By the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (through the National Committee on Women): - Referral of victims to the Legal Aid Commission and Sri Lanka Police for legal action under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, No. 34 of 2005. - Sensitization and response-enhancement programmes for Officers-in-Charge of Police Stations and heads of Women and Children’s Desks on the Act and on prevention/response to violence against women and children. Programmes have been continuously organized; in 2025, sessions were held in: • 28.02.2025 — Anuradhapura • 11.03.2025 — Hambantota • 17.10.2025 — Monaragala - 2025 awareness and attitude development programmes under the National Committee on Women’s Action Plan for public officers at workplaces on gender equality, prevention of gender-based violence, and provisions of the 2005 Act. Four programmes have been conducted in the state sector so far in 2025.

¶ 06 B. By Sri Lanka Police: - Awareness and counselling programmes through the Children and Women Bureau of Sri Lanka Police, Divisional and Station-level Women and Children Protection Units, in collaboration with Divisional Secretariats, National Child Protection Authority, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board officials and district representatives of the Legal Aid Commission; village-level awareness with support of Community Policing Committees and state officials. - Immediate response mechanisms: a 109 Emergency Operations Room is established within the Children and Women Bureau to receive and act promptly on complaints. - Training programmes for officers through the National Police Academy on the importance of implementing the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act and application of its provisions, including certificate and diploma courses.

¶ 07 (iii) Measures to expedite legal action: - Ongoing work to amend the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, No. 34 of 2005, to address identified gaps. - Awareness for officers of Women and Children’s Desks on proper legal procedures under the Act, including immediate investigations upon receipt of complaints, seeking protection orders, and referring parties to counselling where they refuse court action. - Swift legal action in cases such as assault, grievous hurt, and rape under applicable law. - Establishment of the National Commission on Women under the Women’s Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024; the President has appointed the Chairperson and seven Members. Once operationalized with an Executive Director, approved cadre and facilities, the Commission will be able to intervene in violations or imminent violations of women’s rights, receive complaints, investigate, seek leave of court to intervene in relevant proceedings, and institute actions. - Appointment of a Parliamentary Commissioner for Women’s Rights (Ombudsperson) is also provided for under the Act and remains to be effected. - An integrated complaints reporting system to be launched with the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Sri Lanka Emergency Response Platform to prevent duplication and to track complaints to resolution.

¶ 08 (b) Not applicable.