The Women Parliamentarians Caucus yesterday said that it would fight for the rights and job security of Bimshani Jasin Arachchi, who was promoted as the first Deputy General of Police in Sri Lanka. Addresing the media at the Parliament complex, its members said they had set aside political differences to fight for the female DIG’s rights.

Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle took exception to the legal challenge to the appointment of Bimshani Jasin Arachchi, who was the Director of the Police Children’s and Women’s Bureau.

State Minister Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, State Minister Dr. Sitha Arambepola, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Rohini Wijeratne and the Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff Kushani Rohanadheera were present at a press conference.

The Chairperson pointed out that her caucus was very pleased with the appointment of the female Deputy Inspector General of Police and that it considered the appointment of a woman to a higher post in an institution such as the Sri Lanka Police, where the majority was male, as a major step towards ensuring gender equality.

Fernandopulle believed that Sri Lankan women were encouraged to join the police, given that they should have the right to receive their promotions regularly.

Deputy Chairperson of the Caucus, State Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation Dr. Seetha Arambepola said that all women parliamentarians, setting aside political differences, condemned the involvement of certain groups in resorting to legal action challenging the post of DIG Bimshani Jasin Arachchi, and urged all women in the country as well as all parents who wished their daughters success to unite.

Addressing the news conference, Deputy Chairperson of the Caucus MP Rohini Wijeratne said that the harassment of women was a major obstacle to the progress of the country and action should be taken to stop the physical or mental harassment of women, especially in the workplace.

She pointed out that there were many examples of women being elected as national leaders in Sri Lanka. She named Sirimavo Bandaranaike, who became the world’s first female Prime Minister, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who was elected President twice and Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, who was appointed the Chief Justice.

The Chairperson also said that the purpose of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus was to stand for the rights of women in the Legislature.