The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, with two Supplementary Estimates before us, I will focus on the crucial Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

¶ 02 Women and children deserve our utmost care. Sri Lanka famously showed that “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” by appointing the world’s first woman Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Women comprise about 52 percent of our population, and our culture is rooted in matrifocal traditions.

¶ 03 The Supplementary Estimate proposes a nutrition support pack for pregnant mothers. In the first Budget Speech, the President proposed Rs. 7,500 million for such support. Under the 2015 100-Day Programme, we provided a Rs. 2,000 monthly nutrition pack for 10 months (Rs. 20,000 total) to all pregnant mothers nationwide. I would like clarity on how much from this Supplementary Estimate will actually reach pregnant mothers now.

¶ 04 We must focus on nutrition. The UN World Food Programme indicated that about 22 percent of Sri Lankans receive minimum nutrition, with many reducing meals from three to two per day and substituting less nutritious foods. Among those undernourished, pregnant mothers and young children are significant.

¶ 05 Annual pregnancies used to be about 360,000, but numbers have notably declined. Birth registrations in 2023 and 2024 are much lower than in 2019—down by around 70,000–80,000 births per year. Antenatal clinic registrations are also down nationwide—driven largely by economic hardship.

¶ 06 Malnutrition among children has also increased. A special parliamentary committee was appointed to examine child malnutrition. Two immediate measures were suggested: (1) an unconditional cash top-up for pregnant mothers and malnourished children; and (2) a daily meal for preschool children. These should be implemented without discrimination by any government. I urge the Minister and Government to act.

¶ 07 Child protection is also critical. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, the National Child Protection Authority received over 5,000 complaints regarding child abuse. The true number is likely higher. We must enhance child safety at home, school, and in society alongside nutritional interventions. Thank you.