The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, on this 114th International Women’s Day—when the Tenth Parliament has reached a landmark in women’s representation—I extend greetings to our beloved woman Prime Minister, the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, the Deputy Chairperson, the Secretary‑General of Parliament, our 20 women Members on the Government side, the two women Members on the Opposition side, and all women officials serving this Parliament.

¶ 02 Women are the most celebrated subject of poetry and literature. To every woman—farmer, worker, factory hand, protector of law and order, migrant far from our shores, or unpaid homemaker—I wish strength and sustainability. The 2025 theme is “Invest in women: Accelerate progress for a sustainable tomorrow.” You decide that sustainable path.

¶ 03 Since morning, many sisters spoke of women’s representation, participation in decision‑making, and lost rights to be reclaimed. From 1947 to now, women’s parliamentary representation increased from about 3 per cent to 10 per cent in this Tenth Parliament, thanks to tens of thousands of women who stood behind the National People’s Power and laboured to change history. I thank them.

¶ 04 As a lawyer with over a decade’s experience, I stress that preventing violence against women and children requires more than talk. In our Government’s first Budget, we have allocated significant funds to act. These matters cannot be viewed in isolation; multiple ministries—Education, Health, Transport, Industries—are funded for programmes that ultimately protect women and children.

¶ 05 Some may argue the allocation to the Women and Child Affairs Ministry alone is insufficient. But, for the first time in history, we have allocated the largest ever sum for children’s education in Budget 2025, safeguarding their educational rights. No one is more invested in children’s education than Sri Lankan mothers. We are taking our first step; perhaps not the perfect Budget, but the right beginning.

¶ 06 We have signed many national and international instruments affirming equality before the law. Yet law in words often fails in life. For the first time, tea estate women workers’ communities are represented here by women MPs—this is historic. We will protect law and peace, defend the rights of women and children across interconnected sectors, and enable better lives.

¶ 07 Despite laws and treaties, inequalities persisted in empowerment and implementation. Our first steps aim to change that. Through the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs we will roll out major programmes. I also recognize the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, National Child Protection Authority, Sri Lanka Women’s Bureau, and National Committee on Women. Together with judicial officers and lawyers who, guided by conscience, labour for abused women and children, we will act. To the Ministry of Justice: continue awareness programmes; restore life to those who lost it to abuse.

¶ 08 This Women’s Day will be historic. We have taken the first step where earlier we hesitated. I urge all Members to act with sincerity—preserve the dignity, safety and respect that women deserve. Thank you, Hon. Chairman.