The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, we debate the Votes of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs on an important day—International Women’s Day—declared by the United Nations on 8 March 1977. I thank you and the Office of the Leader of the Opposition for scheduling this debate today, and for the time afforded. I wish a happy Women’s Day to all women Members here, the Secretary‑General and all women serving Parliament, and to all Sri Lankan women.

¶ 02 Sri Maha Bodhi and the Sacred Tooth Relic were brought to Sri Lanka by women. As recorded in the Mahavamsa, Princess Hemamala fearlessly brought the Tooth Relic hidden in her hair; Sanghamitta Theri brought the right southern branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi. Vihara Maha Devi sacrificed herself for the nation’s safety.

¶ 03 As a woman MP representing Kandy, I recall our fearless Kandyan women: Ehelepola Kumarihami, who stood behind the courage of Madduma Bandara, and the wives who offered their beloved husbands and even sons like Rathne to the battlefield during the 1818 Uva–Wellassa rebellion against imperial oppression. In recent history, mothers of heroes such as Hasalaka Gamini, Parami Kulatunga and Denzil Kobbekaduwa sacrificed their beloved sons to free the nation from terrorism. Women have shaped our nation and the world.

¶ 04 But do women have their rightful place and respect today? Women are 52 per cent of our population. Consider our youngest generation: about 1.4 million children under five. Do we provide adequate facilities for them? About 70 per cent of brain development occurs by age five, yet malnutrition in this age group is severe: according to Health Ministry surveys, 10.3 per cent stunted, 10 per cent wasted, and 17.1 per cent underweight—an alarming situation. This Budget allocates Rs. 3,200 million for preschool breakfasts. Minister, you stated the per‑meal payment is increased from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100. Is that sufficient to provide a protein‑rich meal for this age group in which 70 per cent of brain development occurs? I request special attention and, if possible, a higher allocation.

¶ 05 We note continuity of programmes: nutrition support for pregnant mothers; the preschool teachers’ allowance; and Rs. 450 million for a five‑year national programme for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders—welcome, as earlier governments took no concrete action here.

¶ 06 Continuation of the programme to provide sanitary pads to schoolgirls is also proposed. I recall that in 2019, when few spoke of this, our Hon. Leader of the Opposition initiated national discourse; subsequently, Hon. Harsha de Silva, as Chair of the Public Finance Committee, convened stakeholders and sought Rs. 1 billion; the previous Government then provided vouchers for sanitary pads to schoolgirls. We welcome the continuation.

¶ 07 However, the sanitary pad issue extends beyond schoolgirls; in women’s prisons, overcrowding is severe: capacity for 400 but around 1,040 women inmates now, and access to sanitary products is a major issue. I urge attention to this.

¶ 08 On women’s representation: Sri Lanka produced the first woman Prime Minister and first Executive President, yet women’s parliamentary representation remained low until now—about 10 per cent—which, while an improvement, is not sufficient. Given that women are 52 per cent of the population and the Government holds a strong mandate, we trust necessary legal frameworks will be established in coming years to enhance representation at Provincial Councils and in Parliament.

¶ 09 Finally, women’s economic participation stands at about 32 per cent—very low—despite a 93 per cent female literacy rate and women leading in education compared with South Asia. I wish to address maternity leave policies in this context, as they affect women’s labour market participation.