Speaker promises probe into alleged sexual harassment of female Parliament workers

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday informed Parliament that he would initiate an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment of female employees in the Parliament IT Department.The Speaker made this announcement following a question raised by Colombo District SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman.

Rahuman said incidents of sexual harassment involving some female employees of Parliament had been reported in the newspapers over the past few weeks.

Rahuman said: “Senior officials continue to sexually harass their subordinate female employees. According to the information I have received, some action has been taken by Parliament’s General Secretary. We have been informed that some suspects have been suspended, and some have been ordered to go on compulsory retirement.

“There are reports that senior officials in the Information Systems and Management Department of Parliament continue to sexually harass the female employees there. I urge the Speaker to immediately investigate this matter. If female employees in this Parliament suffer from sexual harassment, it affects all of us. Please investigate this issue immediately.”

Speaker Dr. Wickramaratne responded: “I have not been informed of this yet. I will investigate this matter.”

Rahuman replied: “These incidents have been reported by the media.”