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UN says women among most vulnerable to crisis in Lanka
As Sri Lanka experiences an unprecedented economic crisis – including spiraling inflation and a shortage of basic necessities – women are among the most vulnerable to its impacts, the United Nations (UN) said.
The UN said this is particularly true of UN Women’s key stakeholder groups including women heads of households, women affected by conflict, and women who lack access to resources, protection, and opportunities for full economic empowerment.
The Officer-in-Charge for UN Women Asia and the Pacific, Sarah Knibbs, met with key partners to advocate for the equitable prioritization of women’s needs and rights in all measures taken to respond to and recover from the current crisis, and for their equal participation in developing and implementing the same.
During her visit, she highlighted that “in line with global analysis, the current economic crisis is very likely to be detrimental to the present status of women and girls, and reverse the limited gains made in relation to their health, wellbeing, rights and opportunities”.
The scarcity of essential food and medicine, along with potential austerity measures resulting from economic recovery processes will have far-reaching consequences for many Sri Lankans, including many women who are already vulnerable to socio-economic shocks, with limited access to resources or social protection. Cuts to social protection schemes will also deprive many women of the meagre allowances available to them, and will have ripple effects on the wellbeing of their children and other household members.
Additionally, while both women and men are affected by job losses during times of crisis, evidence shows that women are often laid off first. For instance, a new UN Women study ‘Gender Disparities and Labour Market Challenges’; shows that between 2019 and 2020, female employment in Sri Lanka declined by nearly 8 percent in the 600 firms that were surveyed, driven mainly by the halving of skilled female employment in the hospitality sector by 47 percent. However, following the COVID-19 lockdowns, male employment in the hospitality sector increased by a considerable 14 percent.
In meetings with key partners, Knibbs highlighted key priorities to ensure a gender-responsive response to and recovery from the crisis.
Firstly, she stressed the need for gender responsive policies, highlighting that “Crises have gender-specific impacts that disproportionately burden women. Investments in gender-responsive research and adopting a transformative approach to designing economic and social policies that promote the realization of women’s rights is a crucial step towards inclusive recovery”.
Secondly, she highlighted the need for women’s equal participation in shaping these efforts. Globally, women’s participation in decision-making and recovery planning has proven effective in ensuring stable long-term recovery from crisis. However, throughout Sri Lanka’s history, women have been largely underrepresented in formal spaces of power.
Recognizing this, Knibbs stated that “in order to ensure that women’s needs are addressed in response and recovery efforts, it is essential that Sri Lankan women are included in all decision-making spheres”.
Thirdly, she highlighted the importance of gender-responsive national planning and budgeting processes, to ensure the needs of the most marginalized and vulnerable are prioritized and contribute to equal opportunities as the country works towards recovery.
Finally, she noted the importance of strengthening data collection and the use of sex-disaggregated data to assess the differential impact of the economic crisis on women and men, and to respond appropriately.
She assured partners that UN Women remains committed to supporting women and girls of Sri Lanka, and that it would strengthen its ongoing work with partners to ensure that Sri Lankan women have increasing income security, access to decent work and economic autonomy. Further, as UN Women works on implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in the country, she emphasized the importance of women’s leadership in rebuilding societies during times of crisis.
Suspect also wanted for child abuse: Extradition process underway
Among seven persons arrested in the United Kingdom for people smuggling is a Sri Lankan wanted by French authorities for the rape of a child.
UK’s National Crime Agency said that it collaborated with police and international partners in INTERPOL’s largest-ever operation targeting people smuggling and human trafficking.
Operation Liberterra III was led by the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre (JICC) and targeted offenders wanted for a range of crimes who had entered the UK illegally.
Officers from the National Extradition Unit at the JICC made five arrests across London, Bedfordshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
Those arrested included:
A 30-year-old Sri Lankan man arrested in Liverpool and wanted in France for the rape of a child
A 38-year-old Iraqi man wanted for rape in Germany arrested in Greater Manchester
A 29-year-old Egyptian man wanted for murder in France arrested in Bedfordshire
A 41-year-old Syrian man arrested in Greater Manchester and wanted in Germany for organising illegal small boat crossings
A 30-year-old Bulgarian man arrested in London for human trafficking and wanted in France
Greater Manchester Police teams also made two arrests across the county during the operation which was held between 10 and 21 November last year.
A 23-year-old Ukrainian man wanted in Germany for sexual exploitation
A 31-year-old Romanian man wanted in Romania for sexual exploitation
Extradition proceedings are underway for all seven suspects.
The NCA website quoted its Deputy Director of International Rick Jones as having said: “This global operation is a prime example of our commitment to working closely and effectively with international partners to tackle people smuggling and human trafficking.
“We were proud to host the European Co-ordination Unit and used a range of our specialist capabilities to gather and disseminate intelligence to law enforcement agencies across the world, and to enable our officers to identify, locate and detain offenders wanted overseas.
“As a result, seven suspects wanted in connection to serious offences have been removed from our communities and extradition proceedings are ongoing to ensure they face justice.”
Globally, 3,744 suspects were arrested including 1,800 for human trafficking and migrant smuggling offences.
Addressing a gathering of the world’s consular community, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath issued a pointed, diplomatic request yesterday for the enhanced protection of Sri Lankan citizens abroad, a message delivered against the backdrop of a recent alleged assault on Sri Lankan fishermen by the Indian Coast Guard.
The occasion was the inauguration of the FICAC 2026 South Asia Regional Conference, hosted by The Association of Consuls in Sri Lanka together with the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) at Cinnamon Life.
Minister Herath, while outlining Sri Lanka’s foreign policy of “non-alignment, strategic autonomy, and constructive engagement,” directly tasked the honorary consul community with a critical role. “I request the honorary consul community to maintain a continued and enhanced focus on safeguarding the rights and welfare of Sri Lankan nationals in respective jurisdictions,” he stated.
The appeal carries significant weight following recent media reports which detailed claims by a group of fishermen from Wennappuwa that they were assaulted by uniformed Indian Coastal Guards. The incident, alleged to have occurred partly in Sri Lankan territorial waters, resulted in hospitalisations and has been referred to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Navy for investigation. Minister Herath’s carefully calibrated statement before the international audience underscored the government’s proactive but diplomatic approach to citizen welfare overseas.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who also addressed the inaugural session, framed Sri Lanka as a nation on a resurgent path. She thanked FICAC for selecting Sri Lanka, noting the choice reinforces the country’s returning credibility under President AKD’s administration.
“Fiscal management is in good control with contained inflation and increased reserve levels and global confidence is returning as the country is moving towards stability, expanded economic activity and inclusive growth,” the Prime Minister stated. She also acknowledged the severe challenge posed by climate change, citing Cyclone Ditwah, and thanked the international community for its support during the disaster, which helped quickly revive the tourism sector.
Both leaders positioned the consular network as indispensable partners in Sri Lanka’s recovery and global re-engagement. Minister Herath emphasised their role in bridging “governments, businesses and communities,” while the Prime Minister stated such forums help reconsolidate the support of global actors.”
The three-day FICAC conference brings together consular officials from across South Asia, focusing on their unique role in facilitating diplomacy, trade, and legal cooperation outside traditional embassy channels.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has reached agreement with Sri Lanka to strengthen the country’s Thriposha nutrition programme through climate-resilient, locally sourced food systems.
According to the Korean Embassy here the agreement formalised a USD 10 million partnership that would enhance domestic production of high-quality maize, reduce reliance on imports, and reinforce the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s flagship nutrition intervention for children and mothers. The agreement in this regard reflected the shared commitment of the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka to advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development outcomes, the Embassy stated.
The agreement was signed in the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka Ms. Miyon Lee, the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannilage, Country Representative, World Food Programme (WFP) Philip Ward, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade, Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited, demonstrating the commitment by all relevant stakeholders of this unique project.
Crown Princess’s son arrested for alleged assault before rape trial in Norway
Shower will occur in the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya and Matale districts
Interpol crackdown: Sri Lankan man among seven arrested in UK for human smuggling
Sri Lanka calls on global consular corps to protect nationals amid fishermen incident
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