2026-02-18 / procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Matters and Clarifications on Women's Commission 2026-02-18
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raised a point of order under Standing Order 27(2) concerning the National Commission on Women, arguing that the Government has undermined the Commission's independence by gazetting it under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs rather than as a standalone Special Expenditure Unit. He drew comparisons to other constitutional commissions — including the Public Service Commission, Human Rights Commission, and Election Commission — which operate with independent funding arrangements, and contended that the Women's Commission should receive the same treatment. Premadasa characterized the gazettal as a serious administrative error that erodes the independence of a body meant to serve women, who constitute 52 percent of the population, and indicated he would submit supporting documentation to the Speaker.
Please allow me a minute, Hon. Speaker—this is important.
Under Standing Order 27(2), I raised a question about the Women’s Commission, which is an independent commission. I wish to draw attention to the fact that the so-called independent National Commission on Women has been gazetted under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. That is a serious error. I will submit the document to you. Commissions such as the Public Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, National Police Commission, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Monetary Board, Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission and the Election Commission, etc., receive funds under Special Expenditure Units.
The same facility should be afforded to the Women’s Commission. However, the Government has erred by gazetting the independent National Commission on Women under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs—thereby eroding its independence. Therefore, I highlight this injustice to Sri Lanka’s women, who are 52 per cent of the population. The Hon. Minister can now answer my question.