The Hon. (Ms.) A. M. M. M. Rathwaththe

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, before I begin, I note that on this special day for combating violence against women, a Member made derogatory remarks about women MPs; those words have been expunged on the order of the Chair. Last year, when the then government cut 50% from the Women and Child Affairs Head, we protested outside this House and were attacked. If today, on a day dedicated to ending violence against women, Opposition MPs insult women and trample women’s rights, we say: find another road to run on.

¶ 02 Historically, many women entered Parliament as widows or daughters of former MPs. No woman of the NPP entered on such a basis. We represent the upliftment of the 52% of the population—women—who live and work. Those who say we have “strings” on our hands deserve the strings around their necks, not our wrists.

¶ 03 In my district too there were husband-wife duos in Parliament; they increased rural poverty, pushing microcredit schemes that bound women with debt. No government MP then spoke up for these women. Even today, I oppose violence against women in this House.

¶ 04 I represent Digamadulla. From the Mahaweli-C area, Dehiattakandiya elected me—the first time from there. I thank my people. The 10th Parliament has the largest ever representation of women—22 including the Prime Minister. Yet previously women MPs were often subjected to abuse and tokenism. The NPP Government will stand for women’s safety and justice.

¶ 05 Digamadulla is multi-ethnic—Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim. For the first time, a single party captured the most seats because the people believed in our new candidates and in the NPP. We will honour that trust unsullied.

¶ 06 An Opposition MP said we received a mandate similar to Gotabaya’s. We accept the scale, but unlike then, we did not stoke chauvinism, orchestrate mass tragedies like Easter, make false promises, or slander opponents. People trusted us for this historic mandate. Another MP falsely claimed the President said we would never borrow. He never said that; he said debt itself is not the curse—stealing borrowed funds is.

¶ 07 They say we lack experience; yet those 76 years of “experience” forced parents to sacrifice one child’s education for another’s. We aim for a true renaissance: a prosperous country and beautiful lives under the NPP. I pledge to deliver it. Thank you.