Proposals to amend the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, No. 34 of 2005, to ensure its more effective implementation were considered at a meeting of the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus.

The matter was discussed at length when the caucus met recently in Parliament. As its Chairperson, Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, was absent, the meeting was chaired by Deputy Co-Chairs Chamindrani Kiriella and Samanmali Gunasinghe.

The primary objective of the Act is to prevent domestic violence and provide prompt legal remedies to those affected by it.

The Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum (MWRAF) presented several proposals regarding a proposed new Bill to replace the existing legislation.

Among the proposals were expanding the range of persons and officials who could initiate legal action on behalf of adults and children subjected to violence, simplifying the application process, making interim protection orders more effective and strengthening follow-up mechanisms relating to protection orders.

It was also stressed that legal and institutional reforms should not be confined to legislation but should take into account the actual experiences of women facing domestic violence.

Meanwhile, Chrysalis Sri Lanka conducted an awareness programme on increasing women’s political participation and representation. Attention was drawn to the importance of expanding women’s participation in decision-making processes, including policymaking, beyond economic empowerment.

The participants agreed to continue considering measures to strengthen legal protection against domestic violence and increase women’s rights and participation in decision-making.

Members of the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus and other invitees attended the meeting.

The Frontline Socialist Party-backed People’s Struggle Movement is set to stage a protest march in Colombo today (03) against what it describes as the growing tax burden on the public and the rising cost of living.

The organisers are due to commence the “Colombo March Against Unjust Taxes” at noon from Campbell Park, Borella. The FSP has also been mobilising support for the protest in Colombo and its suburbs in the run-up to the event.

People’s Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Wasantha Mudalige, speaking at a media briefing in Nugegoda yesterday (02), called on the public to join the protest, saying the movement intended to bring the tax burden faced by ordinary people to the forefront.

Mudalige alleged that successive tax measures had placed an excessive burden on households, particularly through taxes on food and educational items. He also criticised the Government over what he described as the high cost of basic food items and the difficulties faced by parents in meeting their children’s educational expenses.

He accused the Opposition of failing to adequately address the issue, claiming that opposition parties raised such concerns, mainly during election periods.

Mudalige also criticised the Government for what he described as a departure from promises made before the 2024 presidential election regarding taxes on educational equipment.

He questioned the tax burden on food items, citing figures of Rs. 100 per kilogramme on dried sprats, Rs. 310 per kilogramme on chicken and Rs. 11 per egg.

He further alleged that while ordinary people were bearing a heavy tax burden, wealthy groups were receiving tax concessions. He also criticised the Government’s economic programme and its implementation of measures associated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The movement has framed today’s protest as part of a broader campaign over the cost of living and taxation. The People’s Struggle Alliance has separately announced that the Campbell Park demonstration will be the first in a series of public actions, with further protests planned in November.

Mudalige said the movement would continue to take the issue to the streets and urged the public to participate in today’s demonstration.

People’s Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Jayantha Amarasinghe also addressed the press.

The Colombo High Court yesterday postponed the trial in the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, with Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who is currently out on bail, appearing in court.

The trial was postponed as the President’s Counsel appearing for the defence was indisposed.

The Attorney General has filed the case against Rajapaksa, alleging that he committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, worth more than Rs. 73 million.