The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, the new Order under the Shops and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act positively impacts the 52% of our population who are women. As an Opposition MP, I welcome it. Although women form the majority of our population, their contribution to the economy is only about 34%. There are many social reasons.

¶ 02 I am pleased that women in the hotel sector can now work between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. It was also informed that steps have been taken to accede to ILO Convention 190 adopted by the International Labour Organization. I urge expeditious action, because when women work at night they must have the opportunity to do so free from violence and harassment.

¶ 03 Post-COVID, many women in Sri Lanka were able to work from home. In the private sector, many women and men now follow the work-from-home concept. Therefore, I request that, where suitable, women in the public service be enabled to work from home, which will further enhance women’s contribution.

¶ 04 In the Kandy District which I represent, many women lack access to large shops to sell their fruits, vegetables and creations. With the recent removal of pavement trading, they face problems. While we welcome proper management of pavements—Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage City—the problem is that alternative locations have not been provided for those who lost their pavement trading. In cities abroad, such as Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, there are markets. I request that suitable spaces be provided in Kandy for these women and other pavement traders.

¶ 05 Further, within the Kandy Municipal limits, assessment rates have been increased by 300% to 500%. For example, on Dalada Maligawa Street, the quarterly rate has increased by 500% over the past year; on Hewahatta Road, by 400%. A house that paid Rs. 1,822 per quarter now pays Rs. 7,012; a commercial building that paid Rs. 6,907 per quarter now pays Rs. 14,224. Especially after the “Dissa” cyclone affected our district, such increases are very unfair. There are nine Government members including Ministers and Deputy Ministers representing Kandy. I request that you look into this and ensure fairness to the people under the Kandy Municipal Council. I conclude.