Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha, Om Birla, met with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, and a women’s parliamentary delegation from Sri Lanka at Parliament House in New Delhi.

In a post on ‘X’, Om Birla said the engagement focused on advancing bilateral ties and enhancing parliamentary cooperation.

The interaction highlighted the longstanding civilizational, cultural, and democratic bonds between India and Sri Lanka, underscoring the depth of shared values between the two nations.

The discussions centred on women’s leadership, inclusive development, and the importance of greater participation of women in democratic and decision‑making processes.

“Inter‑parliamentary cooperation continues to play a significant role in promoting mutual understanding and stronger democratic institutions,” Om Birla stressed.

He further noted that the meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to enhancing parliamentary dialogue and deepening people‑to‑people ties, reflecting both countries’ dedication to strengthening democratic institutions and fostering inclusive growth. (Newswire)

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Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, has instructed Ministry officials and the National Women’s Committee to provide full support to the National Commission on Women to ensure the establishment of necessary infrastructure and other arrangements for the Commission to commence its operations.

The directive was issued during a discussion with the newly appointed Chairperson and key members of the National Commission on Women held at the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs yesterday (23). 

The discussion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj; the Deputy Minister, Namal Sudarshana; the newly appointed Chairperson of the National Commission on Women, Ramani Jayasundara; Commission Members, Senior Lecturer at the Open University of Sri LankaJanaha Selvaras; Consultant Neurologist Dr. Padma Shriyani Gunaratne; the Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Tharangani Wickramasinghe; and other senior officials of the Ministry.

The National Commission on Women, established under the Women’s Empowerment Act No. 37 of 2024, is an independent institution. 

This independent Commission, established to safeguard and promote the rights and protection of Sri Lankan women, is expected to commence its official operations in the near future. (Newswire)

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Recent operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Police in collaboration with the National Child Protection Authority have identified 21 at-risk children across several districts, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Ratnapura, Galle, and Matara. 

The children had been placed in state protective custody in line with a new program launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to intensify the enforcement of existing child protection laws. 

According to the ministry, these efforts target the exploitation of children in hazardous circumstances such as street begging, trading, and domestic labour.

In preparation for nationwide implementation, a Cabinet memorandum has been submitted outlining the urgent need to approve the enforcement of these laws from July 1, 2025.

Urging the public to act as partners in safeguarding the nation’s children, the ministry encouraged anyone with information regarding children in dangerous or exploitative situations to contact:

• The 1929 Child Helpline
• The Police Children & Women’s Bureau via the 109 Emergency Hotline
• Any local police station
• Field officers attached to the Ministry through Divisional and District Secretariats (Newswire)

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Education Ministry officials say there has been a noticeable increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism in Sri Lanka and that, according to statistics, over 9,000 children have currently been identified.

This was disclosed during a meeting with the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Child Affairs held in Parliament on Tuesday (08 Apr), chaired by Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj.  

During the meeting, the Committee Chair, Minister Paulraj, emphasized that due to the lack of proper diagnosis, many children continue to suffer from various disabilities.

She further stated that children with autism should be identified during their early developmental stages and that only through early diagnosis can they be guided toward a healthy developmental path. Accordingly, she stressed the need to implement an active mechanism to monitor and attend to children from birth, starting from the period under the supervision of the Public Health Midwife and throughout the early childhood development stages.

Minister Paulraj also revealed that plans are in place to establish three model daycare centers in identified regions for children with autism. It was also proposed to appoint a committee to carry out the necessary arrangements for this initiative, with the intention of guiding such children through appropriate stages of development.

Education Ministry officials also informed the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Child Affairs that a six-month training program has been proposed for students who are undergoing training to become teachers, in their respective Colleges of Education, on handling children with disabilities. 

The officials further stated that the objective of this training is to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and attitudes to treat children with disabilities equally to other children.

The Committee Chair, Minister Saroja Paulraj, also stated that steps are being taken to bring preschools operating under various mechanisms across the island under one standardized system. 

Additionally, officials informed the Committee that a joint policy on preschool education is currently being developed collaboratively by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. 

They also stressed the importance of implementing the preschool curriculum framework that has already been drafted. (Newswire)

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Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj presented the progress made since the submission of Sri Lanka’s 9th periodic report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva recently (Feb 13). 

Outlining notable progress achieved and notable achievements in decision-making roles including in Parliament, Minister Paulraj underlined the government’s commitment to upholding the rights of women and girls and in advancing gender equality across all sectors, while seeking to address remaining challenges across economic, social and cultural spheres. 

Minister Paulraj highlighted the election of 22 female Parliamentarians from diverse social backgrounds including from the working class, and marginalized communities and two women parliamentarians from the Malayaga community for the first time in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary history, as well as the appointment of the third female Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, who obtained the highest number of preferential votes from the Colombo district. 

The Minister further highlighted the achievements made and further efforts being taken to broaden gender equity and equality in all sectors and ensure women’s participation in decision-making at all levels and across a broad spectrum of sectors. 

While underlining the crucial role of women in driving the economy and in generating income across key sectors such as garments, plantations, and migrant workers, the delegation highlighted the measures taken by the government to mitigate existing challenges and enhance women’s contribution to the economy in both formal and informal sector, including by providing awareness, capacity development, financial assistance, social welfare facilities etc. 

The delegation further indicated actions already taken and further commitments to revitalize the rural economy, eradicate poverty, and address the disproportionate impact on women due to economic challenges. 

The review provided an opportunity to brief the Committee on some of the key policy and legislative reforms in the country to strengthen the implementation of the Convention in Sri Lanka including the establishment of a National Women’s Commission under the Women Empowerment Act No 37 of 2024, and Sri Lanka’s first National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security for 2023 to 2027. 

The launch of a multi-sectoral National Action Plan (NAP) to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) for the period 2024-2028 and actions taken to address the increasingly challenging issue of online gender-based violence were highlighted. 

Sri Lanka ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1981, the same year the Convention came into force. The CEDAW Committee comprises 23 independent experts who monitor the implementation of the Convention. 

The Committee appreciated the constructive and respectful manner in which the dialogue was conducted.

The all-female Sri Lanka delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General’s Department, the Sri Lanka Police, and the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva. (Newswire)

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Minister of Child and Women’s Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj engaged in an inspection tour of the Welikada Prison in Colombo on the first day of the new year (2025).

Commemorating the dawn of the new year, Minister Paulraj visited the prison and engaged in discussions with female inmates and children at the Day Care Centre at the prison.

Having inquired about the well-being of female inmates and the issues faced at present, the Minister also handed out gifts with essential items to them. 

Minister of Child and Women’s Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj was accompanied by Deputy Minister Dr. Namal Sudharshana, Ministry Secretary K.D. R. Olga, and other high-ranking officials of her ministry. (Newswire)

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The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of the Tenth Parliament met for the first time at the Parliamentary complex on Tuesday (03 Dec), under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

According to a Parliament statement, during the meeting Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Paulraj was elected as the new Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus. Her name was proposed by MP Samanmalee Gunasingha and was seconded by MP Anushka Thilakarathne.

Additionally, two Deputy Co-Chairs were elected. The name of MP Chamindrani Bandara Kirielle was proposed by MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna and was seconded by MP Thushari Jayasingha. MP Samanmalee Gunasingha was also elected as a Deputy Co-Chair, following her name being proposed by MP Krishnan Kaleichelvi and being seconded by MP Deepthi Wasalage.

Addressing everyone present, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the significant achievement of having a noteworthy percentage of women elected to Parliament by public vote. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of conducting the activities of the Caucus beyond political ideologies and fostering a collaborative spirit.

Chairperson Saroja Paulraj expressed her aspirations for the Caucus, underscoring the vision of creating a nation where every woman feels safe and secure. 

The Caucus also decided to establish a subcommittee, led by the two Deputy Co-Chairs, to review and report on future programs and initiatives. Additionally, upon a proposal by MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, it was decided to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on December 6.

Deputy Chairpersons of Committees, Hemali Weerasekara and the Secretary to the Caucus and the Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera were also present at the Caucus meeting.

The session was also attended by several Parliamentarians, including Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, Samanmalee Gunasingha, Chamindrani Bandara Kirielle, Deepthi Wasalage, Thushari Jayasingha, Oshani Umanga, Dr.  Kaushalya Ariyarathna, Krishnan Kaleichelvi, Lakmali Hemachandra, Geetha Herath, Hiruni Wijesinghe, Anushka Thilakarathne, Sagarika Athauda, M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani, Nilusha Lakmali, A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Hasara Liyanage, and Ambika Samivel, among others. (Newswire)

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