The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I rise to express my views regarding the sexual violence incident involving a lady doctor at Anuradhapura Hospital, and on violent crimes against women. As Members of the Government and as a Government, we strongly condemn this incident. Such heinous crimes should befall no woman. As responsible political leaders committed to protecting women and children, we do not approve this in any way. We also state that we have not left that doctor alone; we stand with her—as a party, and especially as women Members of this Parliament. We will take every possible measure—from apprehending the perpetrator to ensuring justice for her—and remain with her throughout. We will continue to stand for women and children in this country. She was targeted not because of any specific profession, but because she is biologically a woman; the violence was inflicted due to her womanhood. We have spoken similarly for many who have suffered violence—from Seeya Sadevmi, the woman who died at Negombo Hospital, to Vidya and others.

¶ 02 There are also instances where victims were killed after sexual violence—such as Ishalini, who died while in domestic service; a woman named Rajkumari; and another woman working as a domestic in Colombo who died after assault. We stood for all of them and spoke out. They all deserve justice. We must use this moment again to demand justice.

¶ 03 We are also deeply concerned and repulsed by how this crime was reported by certain media. The manner in which some media covered it undermines the victim’s courage to seek justice; it robs people of their right to fight for justice. Reporting that re-traumatizes and degrades women must end urgently. When reporting sexual crimes, repeatedly airing the vile details reopens the trauma. Hiding only the name, age, and village but revealing other identifying details does not preserve anonymity. In this recent incident, after she gave a statement, another woman reenacted it on camera; rebroadcasting such “evidence” further harms the victim. We, as women, stand together against this. We must both prevent such crimes and, afterwards, support women who face intimidation and harassment when seeking justice. All women in this Parliament stand together, and I send that message now.

¶ 04 We also note how the entire country stood with the doctor. This incident cannot be justified for any reason. We reiterate that we will be her voice, provide solace, and ensure Parliament becomes the voice for every woman similarly affected. Many women face such violence on the road, at the workplace, in offices, and on buses. This Parliament now has a strong sensitivity towards such violence. Therefore, we say we oppose this violence and the ugly crime reporting that breaks victims’ courage and erodes confidence in the law. Once trust in justice is lost, it is hard to rebuild. What is most needed now is swift punishment for perpetrators without discrimination and an effective mechanism to help victims recover—from psychological trauma, social stigma, family isolation—and reintegrate into society. Only then will there be confidence that society extends a helping hand.

¶ 05 Law alone cannot achieve this. We need media responsibility and a major shift in social attitudes. First, let us all stand with this victim, the lady doctor. We condemn this incident and raise our voices against media wrongdoing. It is not because she is a doctor, but because she is a woman, that this affects us deeply. To prevent recurrence, we must provide both legal protection and change mindsets—we have a responsibility.

¶ 06 We must also enforce existing media-related laws. Beyond legal sanctions, we expect at least minimum ethical standards. As citizens, we share responsibility to reject such media practices. We must develop the public conscience to say we do not accept such reporting.

¶ 07 We must also examine how her police or court statement reached the media, and what legal framework allowed its publication despite appeals to protect anonymity. We must be vigilant. Post-crime, Government bears a great responsibility to ensure dignified reintegration of victims; we will act in unison to do so. While the country unites in support of this doctor, we will not exploit this through trade union actions or other agendas; our position is clear: we are here for her. Many women and children are, even now, subjected to physical, psychological, and cyber-violence in buses, workplaces, factories, and offices. We need a strengthened legal system; we will proceed with reforms for media, law, policing, and broader systems. Let us end practices that violate victims’ privacy, shatter their courage, and erode confidence in justice. Let us end this ugly culture that further victimizes the victim.

¶ 08 Law-enforcement bodies, the media, and all of us share a collective responsibility. A compassionate society cannot be built by law alone; it starts from education upward, across all tiers. We must create a new mindset, empathize with victims’ pain, and recognize that if such suffering leads women to lose faith in society, law, and each other, we as a nation are defeated. This is not merely a “women’s issue”; it is a vital indicator of the collapse of humanity in society. Therefore, reforms are necessary—in media, law, education, and reporting practices—to rebuild trust for women and the public. Everyone has the right to a safe workplace; we must implement internationally recognized labour protections against workplace violence and harassment. As a Government, we believe Sri Lanka should adopt such ILO instruments and ensure protection. We pledge to bring the necessary laws soon.

¶ 09 Events like these erode people’s trust in the law. Women who face sexual violence seek justice—punishment for perpetrators and confidence that they themselves will obtain redress. But when their statements are broadcast, it harms them and helps the wrongdoers. Victims then fear to seek justice. From girls killed in politicians’ homes to women seeking employment being abused, to public transport harassment and abuses in estates and other workplaces—we will provide legal and social protection. We will strengthen the law and fight to win justice for past victims as well. We have come to Parliament to empower victims to overcome fear and fight for justice. We will certainly secure justice for the doctor victimized at the Anuradhapura Hospital hostel, and for all those who suffered such injustices before.

¶ 10 For all women and children who have faced injustice, we will stand. That is the hallmark of our parliamentary representation—22 women Members sensitive to the suffering of women and children—acting without conditions, beyond institutions or professions, and pursuing necessary reforms with the media, law, and police. This Parliament will be one that takes necessary action.

¶ 11 Thank you.