The Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, today we debate an Order under the Shops and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act. Although Sri Lanka ratified the ILO Convention long ago, there was no interest to bring the necessary regulations earlier. Now we can leverage this for tourism development. In 2025, 2,363,000 tourists visited Sri Lanka.

¶ 02 Women form more than half of our population, yet only now are we implementing laws to enhance their contribution. We did not act arbitrarily. There was a tripartite discussion among trade unions, employers and Government. Most prominently, the other parties requested that women’s consent be obtained for night work. Accordingly: no woman shall be compelled to work at night without consent; any employer assigning women after 10.00 p.m. must obtain written authorization from the Commissioner of Labour; a woman who worked between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. shall not be assigned again after 10.00 p.m.; any woman working at night shall receive not less than time-and-a-half pay; women’s committees shall be appointed to look into welfare; employers shall provide rest rooms and meals; and no woman shall be assigned to more than 10 night duties per month. These conditions ensure consent and welfare.

¶ 03 A major constraint was lack of transport after duty; now we provide solutions. Even in daytime, transport is inadequate; abroad it is different, and many Sri Lankans migrate and work. Sometimes husbands work nights and wives days, or in shifts, managing childcare. In our rural areas, women need employment but often remain at home with children due to lack of options. With both spouses’ single income being insufficient, elders often sacrifice their freedom to care for grandchildren.

¶ 04 In Kandy where I live, many women work in Colombo shops and restaurants; many come from the Central Province. This measure is vital for them. As Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe said, some here keep talking off-topic—like writing the same “cat” essay. Someone even spoke of a “wiyana” (marriage canopy) story; we do not wish to respond in kind. We answer clearly and with reasons.

¶ 05 On the textbook issue: following education reforms, it was alleged the Dharmachakra was changed. Yesterday we met the Mahanayake Theros of Malwatte and Asgiriya with the Hon. Prime Minister and Kandy MPs; the approved Dharmachakra is what is included in the textbook.

¶ 06 As Government and as women, we stand for women’s freedom, and for the rights, freedoms and dignity of our country’s second citizen—the Hon. Prime Minister (female). Thank you.