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Only two female MPs out of 12 invited turn up at International Women’s Day celebrations
Text and pix BY PRIYAN DE SILVA
Speaking at the International Women’s Day Celebrations, organised by the female councillors of the Matale District Local Government institutions, SJB MP and member of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Rohini Kavirathne, said that one of her male counterparts in Parliament had called for a boycott of the ceremony held at Pallepola in Matale on Sunday (07).
Out of 12 members of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus invited to the event only Manjula Dissanayaka MP and Rohini Kavirathne MP attended the event. Sita Arambepola MP and Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle Chairperson of the Caucus addressed the event via zoom.
The theme for Sunday’s event was ‘Campaign to eliminate sexual harassment in the world of work ‘and was held in commemoration of national heroine Ehelepola Kumarihamy. It was recalled that throughout the country’s history from the times of Princess Kuveni to Ehelepola Kumarihamy and even to the present day females had not been treated equally.
MP Manjula Dissanayaka said that even though 52% of Sri Lanka’s population was women there were only 12 female MPs among the 225 Members of Parliament. She added that proportionately the figure should be at least 112 female MPs and hoped that the number would increase at future elections.
Chief Incumbent of the Ehelepola Purana Viharaya Ven Palawahthay Sonuththara Thera said that it might have been more beneficial to the country if all 225 members of Parliament had been females.
Delivering the keynote speech at the event which was slotted before the vote of thanks, National Coordinator of the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence Manjula Gajanayaka said that although there were 1,926 female councillors in local government bodies due to the 25% quota granted to females, females were underrepresented in Parliament.
Out of the 2,899 MPs elected between 1947 and 2021, only 133 were females , he said, noting that only a handful of females had been appointed to decision-making positions in Parliament as well as other political institutions. Citing the Election Commission of Sri Lanka as an example, the Election Monitor said that no females had been appointed as members of the Election Commission ever.
Gajanayake pointed out that there were no allegations of corruption levelled against females appointed as MPs and councillors of LG institutions but added that those females had no opportunity to stand against corruption that took place in their institutions.
Irrespective of the call for a boycott, a considerable number of female representatives of local government bodies in the Matale District together with the Mayor of Dambulla and Chairman of the Pallepola Pradeshiya Sabha attended the event.
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 April 2026, valid for 29 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle,
Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
New controversy erupts over missing USD 2.5 mn:
Public interest activist Nagananda Kodituwakku has sought citizenship details of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.
According to a letter dated 28 April, addressed to the relevant department, Solicitor England and Wales Kodituwakku sought the required information in terms of Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act No 3 of 1982 of Australia. Suriyapperuma is also the Secretary to the Treasury.
The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Suriyapperuma (from November 2024 to June 2025) is embroiled in a deepening controversy over the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
The leader of the Vinivida Foundation said that he intended to move court against Suriyapperuma for entering Parliament through the NPP National List in violation of the country’s Constitution (Article 91(1)(d)(xiiii).
Kodituwakku said: “This is clearly an accountability and integrity issue and violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and also this act contravenes the law of a member in the Commonwealth.”
USD 2.5 mn paid to a third party was meant to be an instalment of a loan taken from Australia. Suriyapperuma neither responded to an SMS nor answered his hand phone.
Geetha Kumarasinghe (UPFA/Galle District) and Diana Gamage (SJB National List) lost their seats in 2017 and 2024, respectively, over citizenship issues.
Meanwhile, public interest group ‘Free Lawyers’ that exposed the theft of Treasury funds questioned the failure on the part of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to temporarily remove Suriyapperuma to facilitate unhindered investigations.
On behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday expressed concern over the way the CoPF, under SJBer de Silva’s leadership, handled the issue at hand. Issuing an open letter, Tennakoon, urged the CoPF chief to explain his stand on a spate of vital issues which needed to be addressed without any further delay.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
News
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara (Sue Tue Nhan) at the conclusion of the 161 km ‘International Peace Walk’ in Colombo yesterday. The Bo-sapling will be taken to the US by the spiritual leader. Pic by Sujata Jayaratne
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 pm
Treasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
USD 625,000 meant for US Postal Service goes missing
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