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UNFPA gears for second consecutive collaboration with Colombo Fashion Week
Thursday, 24 February 2022, COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Violence against women can happen to anyone, anywhere at any time. The evidence shows that one in four (24.9%) women in Sri Lanka have experienced physical and/or sexual violence since age 15 in their lifetime (Women’s Wellbeing Survey, 2019).
Across the world and in Sri Lanka, UNFPA supports Governments and women’s organizations to strengthen their response to violence against women and girls. Fashion, and Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) in particular, presents a powerful medium to advocate for a violence-free Sri Lanka for all women and girls. Apart from the opportunity for advocacy, the fashion industry consists of a workforce that is overwhelmingly represented by women. In light of this, the partnership for 2022 goes a step further from the Fashion Week in itself and includes sensitization on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) for the organizers, designers, models and crew of Colombo Fashion Week to ensure that all are respected and treated with dignity.
Speaking about this, Representative of UNFPA in Sri Lanka Kunle Adeniyi stated, “Fashion is how we present ourselves to the world but fashion is also a platform that can present the issues that affect women. Colombo Fashion Week gives us an opportunity to speak to people, especially in the fashion value chain, from the producers to the consumers, to make everybody an agent of change.”
Speaking about CFW, Ajai Vir Singh stated, “We are pleased to have UNFPA onboard with us for the second consecutive year. At CFW, we are committed to ensure that the fashion fraternity understands and prioritises social and environmental wellbeing and as such, we are happy to have UNFPA with us to address the issue on violence against women and girls. We consider women as an important fashion stakeholder and they must be respected in every way. This also aligns with our new garment evaluation tool – the Responsible Meter”
UNFPA also continues its partnership with Fashion Designer Amilani Perera for the third consecutive year in 2022 to raise awareness on this issue through curated collections which will be showcased this year on Day 2 of CFW.
UNFPA advocates for a world free of violence against women and girls and a place where everyone has access to sexual and reproductive health services and information, so women can make informed choices about their body and life.
News
Law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally- State Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe
State Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22] said that the law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally.
He said that , if someone joins a municipal council receiving a modest salary and, within two to three years, builds a luxury house and acquires a vehicle, we will question how such wealth was amassed. If a satisfactory explanation cannot be provided, the law will be enforced and the measures will be taken to confiscate any illegally acquired assets.
The opposition frequently levels accusations against us, but we have not engaged in any wrongdoing. We have not misappropriated public funds, used undue influence to secure school admissions for our children, or interfered with law enforcement. We are dedicated to serving the people by upholding an ethical and responsible political culture.
If you wish to develop your community, I respectfully urge you to elect individuals of integrity who will not misuse public funds.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
It has been reported that prison officials and the police have brought the unrest among the 500 plus inmates of the Matara prison which commenced on Tuesday [22] under control by this morning (23)
It has been reported that the inmates had broken out of their wards after which the officials were compelled to fire in the air and use tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The inmates are being temporarily transferred to the Angunkolapelessa prison in groups to enable authorities to repair the the damage caused to the wards and cells within the premises.
The prison officials who were injured during the conflict are receiving treatment at the Matara hospital. 
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Local government authorities and Municipal Councils are the nursery of corrupt politics. – Prime Minister
The Prime Minister stated that the President has challenged all ministers to transparently and efficiently spend the funds allocated to each ministry through the national budget for the benefit of the people, and that the local governments and municipal councils have historically been the nursery grounds of corrupt politics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22].
The Prime Minister further stated:
“All 159 of us in Parliament today did not enter through family or financial influence. We are ordinary citizens just like you and individuals who stand among you. Unlike in the past, our members do not behave disruptively in Parliament. When school children visit, there is no need for the Speaker to request their removal that our parliamentary members conduct themselves with dignity, adherence to the law, and political maturity.
This is the kind of Parliament we have always aspired to have. Today, it is you who has made this transformation possible. For a long time, we have not experienced the advantages of an efficient and properly functioning local government. You now have the opportunity to elect representatives who are truly committed to serving you and improving your local institutions.
The event was attended by Arosh Athapaththu, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council candidate representing the National People’s Power, along with several other candidates and a large number of local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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