CMEV National Coordinator claims those in power fear emergence of a second line of leadership

Hence the delaying of  PC polls

Text and picture by PRIYAN DE SILVA

National Coordinator of the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) Manjula Gajanayake alleges that one of the main reasons for the delay in conducting the Provincial Councils was some politicians’ fear of a second level leadership emerging. Gajanayake made the comment addressing the inaugural convention of the All Party Women’s Front (APWF) held at the Viharamahadevi open air theatre on Thursday (18).

Gajanayake recalled those present that even the 25% quota was after many decades of struggle but called upon the  female councillors present not to plead for the  25% quota  from male law makers but to demand that they be given a fair share of nominations.

He added that the worst anti-feminists in the present political arena were the leaders of the 76 registered political parties.

Gajanayaka  said that the World Bank publication ‘Getting to work – Unlocking Women’s potential in Sri Lanka’s Labour Force’,  clearly stated that the Sri Lanka economy was unable to gain the full benefit of Sri Lanka’s female labour force  as the women were not adequately empowered with knowledge and training.