The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, it is truly a historical event for me to speak on Women’s Day while you, who have devoted your life to women’s rights, are in the Chair. Today is International Women’s Day. It is also my mother’s birthday. In my view, mothers pour their youth and adulthood into their children; in a sense, every mother’s birthday is a kind of Women’s Day. It is at once a day that recalls a woman’s burdens and a day that marks her struggle.

¶ 02 Across many themes, the final aim is the same: how do we make the woman a full citizen? I believe every person should have eight hours of work, eight hours of cultural and social life, and eight hours for rest and basic needs. In formal employment, women and men both work the eight hours, but I believe women are largely deprived of the eight hours of cultural life. A woman’s world is restricted to the home or institution; she loses access to social, cultural and political life.

¶ 03 Consider a couple who finish work and hear of a funeral. With two small children, both can’t go. They agree the husband will go. There he learns the latest political results, local issues, even the match scores—he returns informed. The wife remains at home, tending to children and perhaps catching a TV serial. Thus she loses that broader civic exposure. If a woman is to be a citizen, she needs an environment where after 5.00 or 6.00 p.m. she too can freely choose her engagements. Our policies must create that space.

¶ 04 Making the woman a citizen means going beyond roles of cooking and childcare. History shows women’s long struggle to do so. From early references to surgical procedures, to Hypatia the Greek woman mathematician who was murdered for seeking knowledge, to Europe’s witch-hunts that suppressed women’s scientific contributions—women had to publish medicine and science disguised, their work attributed to male scientists. We all can name Marie Curie; ask a general audience to name another woman in pure or natural science and most cannot. The issue is not talent but opportunity and the societal space to commit fully.

¶ 05 Today our Parliament has 22 women—about 10 percent. Let nothing like Hypatia’s fate befall them. Rather than speak only in generalities, I want to place on record public commendations made on the first speeches of our 22 women Members, to defend and celebrate them so that fifty or a hundred more will follow.

¶ 06 - Hon. Chathuri Ganganie, a teacher and first in her family in politics: “Proud of the preference we gave you, sister,” “Monaragala has made the right choice for true representation,” “Whichever seat you took, you still feel like one of us.” - Hon. Deepthi Wasalage, a teacher and first in her family: “Model leadership; the real change people expect,” and practical suggestions and full support from constituents. - Hon. Hasara Liyanage, an attorney-at-law and among the youngest MPs: “Beautiful clear voice with immense personality. Perfect speech! So proud of you,” and “Proud to give my first parliamentary vote to you.” - Hon. Hemali Sujeewa Weerasekara, Deputy Chairman of Committees: “Raises her voice for justice and women’s rights; fulfills duties impeccably,” and, “Ignore the noise; keep going. We value your effort and dedication.” - Hon. Muthumenike Rathchandhi, former in the security sector: “A very courageous woman,” “A gem more precious than pearls.” - Hon. Nilusha Lakmali, attorney-at-law: “Spoke clearly and qualitatively; Ruhunapura women’s voice. Historic first MP for Kahawatta,” and pride for Ratnapura women’s representation. - Hon. Sagarika Ganganie, attorney-at-law: “Government side speeches are pleasant, well-organized, not needlessly loud; easy to listen to,” “Proud of our preference,” and praise recalling her school leadership and quiet strength. - Hon. Ambika Samivel, first in her family: “Lady superstar of Haputale District. Power of tea plantation people!” with heartfelt hopes across communities for education and upliftment of estate Tamils and the poor. - Hon. Saroja Savitri Polraj, a teacher and first in her family: “Uniting Sinhala and Tamil sisterhood; trilingual eloquence; a treasure to us,” among many similar plaudits. - Hon. Thushari Jayasinghe, attorney-at-law: “A strong leader from Nawalapitiya for a just tomorrow,” “Humble, learned; a turning point in Nawalapitiya politics,” with calls from Kandyans to back her. - Hon. Geetha Ratnakumari, attorney-at-law: “First women’s voice of Yapahuwa; modest leadership.” - Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe, attorney-at-law: “Puttalam must move beyond its notoriety and rally behind an educated new leadership,” and “Young, but learned and capable; best wishes.” - Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra, attorney-at-law: “We never voted JVP before; happy with our decision—bringing knowledge to the country,” “Super English, super personality, super woman,” and many accolades. - Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi, attorney-at-law: “A fearless woman’s representation in Parliament; a wish fulfilled thanks to our support.” - Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne, attorney-at-law and academic, first in generations in politics: “Spoke flawlessly for 176 minutes; though I couldn’t vote, I value the sustained record,” and calls to popularize such cross-partisan, capable figures. - Hon. Oshani Umanga, first in her family, entrepreneur: praised as multi-skilled, humble yet strong—a leadership figure. - Hon. Anushka Darshani, attorney-at-law, first in her family; spouse not an MP but a core party activist: constituents admire her vivid metaphors and local dedication. - Hon. Harini Amarasuriya: our superstar—unfazed under pressure; women value her immensely. On her birthday, a public audience spontaneously sang Happy Birthday—an incredibly rare moment. - Hon. Samanmali Gunasingha: admired for strength and courage—“like the saman flower.” - Hon. Rohini Wijeratne: “Take pride in Matale women’s fortitude; women like you must be in Parliament.” - Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella: “Proud of Kiriella’s daughter; may you move forward unwaveringly—an able, important woman.”

¶ 07 I believe I have missed no one. If so, forgive me—it would be a great lapse.

¶ 08 We must protect these 22. Criticize their work if need be, but do not smear them with sexist slander or lies as was done to Hypatia. If we keep them strong, thousands more will follow into this House. Thank you, Madam Presiding Member, for the time.