The Chairperson of Sri Lanka’s newly formed National Women’s Commission (NWC), Dr. Ramani Jayasundere, has resigned from her post, Ceylon Today reported.
Her resignation, submitted to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, cited concerns over the body’s lack of operational independence, marking a significant setback for the country’s efforts to establish an independent institution to safeguard women’s rights, the report said.
Jayasundere confirmed her resignation to Ceylon Today but declined to provide further comment.
The resignation follows warnings from NWC Commissioners that administrative interference is compromising the Commission’s autonomy. They claim the body, created under the 2024 Women’s Empowerment Act, has been unable to function due to the absence of a dedicated budget, independent premises, and recruited staff—despite government assurances, the report said.
Concerns escalated with the appointment of an Executive Director, a former Secretary to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, who continued operating from ministry offices. Proposals to integrate the NWC into the Ministry and use its staff were seen by Commissioners and activists as a direct violation of the Commission’s statutory independence.
Activists and members argue that such moves undermine the Commission’s mandate and could reduce it to a symbolic entity under ministerial control. NWC members have also rejected proposals to house the Commission within the Ministry and insisted on an independent office, parliamentary-approved funding, and open recruitment, the report said.
They also alleged pressure tactics aimed at forcing resignations to allow new appointments aligned with ministry interests, the report revealed citing sources.
The Commission has yet to fully convene, with several positions unfilled and delays in processing nominations from the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament the Commission had been formally established, and appointments had been made weeks prior, including Shreen Saroor and Janaha Selvarasa as full-time members, along with Dhammika Somaratne, Dr. Kalana Senarathna, Dr. Padma Sriyani Gunaratne, and Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala.
However, activists who long advocated for the Commission’s creation expressed frustration, calling it a “paper exercise” amid ongoing concerns over its functionality. (Newswire)