The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I wish to tell Hon. Mano Ganesan that the President’s relief measures for disaster-affected persons were presented for the people of the entire country. There is no separate or discriminatory treatment of the Malaiyagam people. Today, the President himself has granted Rs. 5 million to those in Kurunegala and Anuradhapura Districts whose houses were completely destroyed by the disaster, and has laid foundation stones for houses for the affected. Symbolically, this commences today in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala. Though Hon. Ganesan claimed injustice to his people, I wish to state that the programme is being implemented under the President’s hand today.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, when I listen to debates in this House these days, I am reminded of a story from my childhood about a student who wrote essays about a cat regardless of the topic given. Likewise, the Opposition clings weekly to various subjects and speaks, writing the same essay about the “cat,” ignoring the Orders we bring to this Parliament.

¶ 03 Today is a significant day for women. Although women constitute 51.7% of the population, they account for only about 34% of the labour force. Their lower participation is due to regulatory and social barriers. With the intervention of the Hon. Minister of Labour, we are removing statutory barriers. Under section 60 of the Shops and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act, the Minister has the power to issue Orders.

¶ 04 Accordingly, by Gazette No. 111 of 10 May 1974, certain employments were prescribed. Let me first read the relevant part: a woman who has attained 18 years may be employed between 6.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. as, inter alia, an airport ground hostess, a receptionist in a hotel, a ladies’ cloak room attendant, a women’s garments store attendant, or a women’s lavatory attendant, etc.

¶ 05 To broaden opportunities for women and enhance their contribution to the national economy, and to upgrade the hospitality and tourism sectors, the Minister amended in 2025 both the nomenclature and coverage, replacing outdated titles to confer dignity (for instance, “female lavatory attendants” now recognized as female sanitation attendants), and to allow women in the hotel industry, including food and beverage service attendants, to work during evening and night shifts. Practically, food and beverage service has been male-dominated, but it is an area where women can work effectively. Henceforth, not only male stewards but women too will have access to such jobs. There are safeguards: the shift must end between 6.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m.; employers must provide suitable resting accommodation, safe transport to desired locations after duty, and necessary health and welfare facilities. This is a commendable regulatory decision by the Sri Lankan Parliament to increase women’s labour force participation.

¶ 06 Further, in 2019, the ILO adopted Convention C190 to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work and to ensure a dignified work environment. Although previous governments did not ratify it, yesterday our Minister took steps to deposit the necessary instruments. In 2026, Sri Lanka has ratified ILO C190 to protect especially women entering the world of work from harassment, and to enable them to travel to work and return home safely and with dignity. By integrating domestic and international frameworks, we aim to raise women’s labour force participation from about 35%, and the legal framework is being set accordingly. We are very grateful to the Hon. Minister of Labour for this intervention.