The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today’s Adjournment debate is held to mark International Women’s Day 2026. The unpaid care work of women in our households has never been accorded economic value. The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus brings this proposal to create a National Care Policy framework that recognizes unpaid care work as a core part of the national economy and fosters an enabling environment for the care economy.

¶ 02 The UN theme for 2026 is “Rights, Justice and Action for all women and girls,” focusing on removing barriers and ensuring equal justice, and strengthening legal frameworks to secure women’s rights in practice. A gender-equal society is integral to sustainable development.

¶ 03 We are not only proposing a National Care Policy; in the last three months we have undertaken concrete actions for women. Through gender-sensitive budgeting, we have created opportunities for women across ministries. I wish to highlight housing as a fundamental right: without a safe home, there is no safety, equality, education or health. Under the “Seamatha Nivahana” (Homes for All) programme, we prioritized low-income, women-headed households in beneficiary selection so that women and girls—especially school-age girls—can have safe homes.

¶ 04 When we assumed office, housing grants were Rs. 600,000; in our first Budget we increased this to Rs. 1 million. In 2025, we built around 7,516 houses, including 100 for low-income families in Monaragala, where I had the privilege to lay foundation stones and hand over keys. The joy and security felt by women beneficiaries was evident.

¶ 05 In 2026, 247 houses are allocated to Monaragala. Overall, the ministry has allocated around Rs. 100 billion to build 31,000 houses. We have also initiated 10,000 houses in the plantations with Indian assistance, and built about 2,500 houses in the North and East last year for conflict-affected displaced persons. Plantation workers, long living in line rooms, particularly women, will gain safety and dignity through these efforts.

¶ 06 Children leaving care homes at 18 face extreme vulnerability, especially girls. Therefore, in 2025 we resolved to provide Rs. 2 million per child exiting care—especially girls—to build a home. Many agencies implement housing support; through them we aim to elevate women’s social, economic and political standing. Hence this proposal to develop a National Care Policy.

¶ 07 Our people elected 22 women MPs—an unprecedented number—placing trust in us to deliver for women. We will continue taking measures to uplift women equally in society. Thank you.