Women & Children

Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka must prioritise long-term national economic development over short-term economic management, advocating for high-growth strategies modelled on Southeast Asian economies. He proposed deeper economic integration with India — drawing an analogy to Hong Kong's relationship with China — suggesting that capturing even 3% of the Indian market could drive Sri Lankan growth of 10–12%. He criticised the Central Bank's monetary policy stance, arguing that raising interest rates to control inflation suppresses economic activity, and called instead for policies that empower SMEs, youth entrepreneurship, and women's economic participation domestically. He also urged a focus on strengthening the capital account to attract investment inflows, which he argued would strengthen the rupee and reduce the cost of living.

Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna moved for leave to introduce the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce (Amendment) Bill, seeking to amend the existing principal enactment. The stated purpose of the amendment is to address discriminatory provisions under Sections 32(a) and (b) of the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act, which she contends treat women unequally. The Bill aims to remove this differential treatment of women under the said sections.

## Summary Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa challenged the Government over the operational status and independence of the National Commission on Women, presenting documentary evidence — including the relevant Gazette notification and pages from the Appropriation Act No. 23 of 2025 — to contradict the Minister's parliamentary statements. He highlighted the resignation of Commission Chair Dr. Ramani Jayasundere, citing lack of institutional independence, government interference in staff appointments, and the posting of a Ministry official as CEO, while contrasting the Commission's subordinate budgetary status with that of other independent commissions. Premadasa further criticised the Government's allocation of LKR 50 million to the Commission in 2026 as inadequate relative to the LKR 150 million requested, arguing it fell short of election commitments made to women voters. He also raised a procedural complaint, tabling correspondence showing that several of his questions to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education — concerning Gampaha Wickramarachchi University, unappointed acting principals, and graduate teacher recruitment — had been disallowed, which he characterised as an infringement on the Opposition's right to parliamentary scrutiny.

Minister Paulraj clarified that the appointment of the Executive Director of the Women's Committee is not within her ministerial authority, explaining that under the relevant Act, appointments are made through the Presidential Secretariat by the President, with the Ministry only forwarding nominations. She noted that the Women's Committee is an institution registered under her Ministry, established under legislation aimed at women's empowerment and the creation of a National Commission on Women. The Minister directed this clarification specifically at the Leader of the Opposition, emphasizing that the appointment in question does not rest with her.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sajith Premadasa, expressed regret over what he described as repeated obstructions when raising questions related to the progress of women, noting that women constitute 52 per cent of Sri Lanka's population. The statement implies procedural impediments were preventing him from pursuing this line of questioning in Parliament.

## Summary The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sajith Premadasa, objected to being prevented from speaking, asserting his right to pose questions on behalf of women, who he noted constitute 52% of Sri Lanka's population. He rejected any guidance on Standing Orders, suggesting the obstruction was procedurally unwarranted. The speech appears to be a brief interjection or point of order rather than a substantive policy address, with the text indicating it was interrupted or incomplete.

Minister Paulraj responded to questions raised by the Leader of the Opposition under Standing Order 27(2) on 3 February 2026, clarifying the legal status of the National Commission on Women. She explained that the Commission is not gazetted under her Ministry, but rather established as an independent institution under the Women's Empowerment Act No. 37 of 2024, which replaced the former Women's Committee that had previously operated under the Ministry. The Minister outlined that the Commission's 23 statutory functions include investigating women's rights violations and receiving complaints under Part XI of the Act, and affirmed that the Government recognises and upholds the Commission's independence.

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.

Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe reported to Parliament on Sri Lanka's participation in the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour held in Marrakesh, Morocco (11th–13th), noting that while 138 million children remain engaged in child labour globally—despite a previous target to eliminate it by 2025—Sri Lanka records fewer than 10 child labour complaints annually. He highlighted that efforts are focused on the informal, plantation, and agricultural sectors, and acknowledged the link between child labour and poverty. The Minister also announced a large-scale community awareness programme being implemented in coordination with a ministerial colleague, with further eradication programmes expected to be launched.

Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva raised two supplementary concerns regarding healthcare access for persons with disabilities. First, he highlighted communication barriers between health staff and persons with disabilities, particularly the lack of sign language support. Second, he drew attention to the practice of requiring admitted patients with disabilities to bring their own caregivers, noting this imposes a significant financial burden, and requested that the Deputy Minister propose alternative solutions to address both issues.