Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj

Thank you for the opportunity, Hon. Speaker. Before replying to the questions raised by the Hon. Leader of the Opposition under Standing Order 27(2) on 2026.02.03, I will briefly set out the legal background. The National Commission on Women is not an institution gazetted under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. Pursuant to section 69 of the Women’s Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024, the powers and duties of the National Commission on Women are to be exercised. One of the institutions under our Ministry had been the Women’s Committee. Following the repeal of that Committee under the Women’s Empowerment Act, the “National Commission on Women” is to be established in its place. Until the Act is brought into operation, the Women’s Committee functioned under the Ministry; upon the appointment of the Commission under Act No. 37 of 2024, it becomes an independent institution. We, as the Government, fully respect and uphold that independence on behalf of the women of Sri Lanka who constitute 52 per cent of the population. Responses to the questions raised under Standing Order 27(2) on 2026.02.03 are as follows: 1. The functions of the National Commission on Women are set out in the Women’s Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024, including inquiring into and investigating violations and imminent violations of women’s rights, and receiving complaints under Part XI of the Act—among 23 specified functions. The details relevant to Question No. 19 are produced at the end of this answer. - Produced at end of Answer.