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

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, with this new people’s mandate to inaugurate a new political culture in the Tenth Parliament, I am grateful that our long struggle for enhanced women’s representation has borne fruit with the highest number of women MPs to date. I thank the people of Matara District and all citizens who voted for national policies and goals beyond personalities, bringing this new public mandate to Parliament.

¶ 02 Women are 52% of our population and a decisive share of voters. Their political awareness has driven this transformation, paving the way for a policy-based politics nationwide. Women aspired to a country of safety, dignity, and equality—where daily rights are protected, and women and children are secure. They rejected traditional politics and endorsed policy-driven leadership, helping the NPP win across North, East, South, and West, establishing stable governance. We see this as a victory for principled politics.

¶ 03 We know women sustain our economy: as migrant domestic workers in the Middle East, in apparel, and on the estates. The NPP has long pledged to uplift their living standards. Not only migrant domestic workers in the Middle East but all women working abroad must be upskilled and protected under international conventions and national law, enabling Sri Lanka to secure a share of the global services economy. Women at home and abroad must have workplaces free from violence, with protected wage rights and legal coverage.

¶ 04 Every day within public spaces, workplaces, educational settings, and media, women and children face physical, psychological, sexual, and verbal violence. Our Government bears a duty to free them from all such abuse—by enforcing the law and creating safe environments.

¶ 05 We also recognize that laws alone are insufficient. We must make policy decisions, establish organizational structures and plans, and fix systemic and technical weaknesses to build a country safe for women and children. We commit to updating policies, implementing structured programmes, and correcting technical gaps.

¶ 06 As the President’s policy statement notes, the lack of sanitary public toilet facilities in common spaces severely affects women, children, the ill, the elderly, and tourists. A nation aspiring to high social standards must provide safe, sanitary, human-centred infrastructure. We will build that country.

¶ 07 Another pressing issue: many mothers no longer trust the medicines given to their children due to substandard pediatric drugs. Likewise, food contamination—toxins, carcinogens, artificial flavours and additives—threatens children’s health. Our Government will ensure high-quality medicines and safe food standards for all.

¶ 08 Finally, for decades we suffered from ethnic and religious chauvinism. The recent mandate—both presidential and parliamentary—shows Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, Malay—all our people—have rejected communalism and embraced a shared Sri Lankan identity. Let us build a prosperous, equitable society where we live happily as Sri Lankans.

¶ 09 To my sisters: “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We are strongest when we cheer each other on.” Let us support each other, give space to each other’s voices, and remember that one woman’s courage lifts all women. I conclude with that appeal. Thank you.