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Speaker berates opposition for resorting to harangue at question time

By Saman Indrajith
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday (22) reprimanded the Opposition MPs for wasting the time of the House. He said that MPs should not make speeches when raising questions listed in the Order Paper because only one hour had been allotted for the question time.
He said so when Ratnapura District SJB MP Hesha Withanage raised supplementary questions and made a lengthy speech.
Withanage demanded to know from the Prime Minister the number of Cabinet ministers in governments since 1978.
Responding on behalf of the Prime Minister Chief of the Government Whip Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said that there had been nine parliaments since 1978 and there had been different numbers of Cabinet ministers in those government. He said that the first parliament in 1978 had 25 cabinet ministers and the second parliament in 1989 had 21 cabinet ministers. The third parliament in 1994 had 23 cabinet and 31 deputy ministers with a total of 54. The fourth parliament of 2000 had 42 cabinet and 36 deputy ministers with a total of 78. The Fifth Parliament of 2001 had 25 cabinet, 27 non-cabinet and eight deputy ministers with a total of 60. The sixth parliament of 2004 had 31 cabinet, three non-cabinet and 31 deputy ministers with a total of 65. The seventh parliament of 2010 had 37 cabinet 39 deputy ministers with a total of 76 ministers. The eighth parliament of 2015 had 45 cabinet and 38 state ministers making a total of 87 ministers. The eighth parliament of 2019 had 16 cabinet and 38 state ministers with a total of 54. The ninth parliament of 2020 has 27 cabinet and 40 state ministers with a total of 67.
The first and second parliaments of 1978 and 1989 had one female cabinet minister each. Third parliament of 1994 had three cabinet and five deputy female ministers with a total eight female members. The Fourth parliament of 2000 had four female cabinet ministers. The fifth parliament of 2001 had only one female cabinet minister. The sixth parliament of 2004 had three female cabinet ministers. The seventh parliament of 2010 had two female cabinet ministers and one female deputy minister post making it three female ministers. The eighth parliament of 2015 had a total number of six female ministerial posts – two cabinet, two state and two deputy posts. The eighth parliament of 2019 had one female cabinet minister. The ninth parliament of 2020 has one female cabinet minister and two female state ministers with a total of three.
The highest percentage of female ministers was in 1994 with 13.04% and the lowest was in 2020 with 3.7 percent, Minister Fernando said.
Responding to the question the percentage of female ministers in the present government, Minister Fernando said it was 3.6. He said the figure was the same as the percentage of female representation in Parliament.
When the time came for the supplementary questions, MP Withanage said that if the funds spent on the number of Cabinet ministers since 1978 had been spent for the development, the country would have been in a better position. Then he lamented that the percentage of female members in parliament did not tally with the population’s female percentage. Thereafter, he said that under the previous government a ceiling on the number of Cabinet ministers had been imposed and the incumbent government was planning to remove it. He asked how the government would justify the proposed increase in the number of ministers.
Speaker Abeywardena intervened and said the MPs could not be allowed to make speeches making use of time allocated for questions. “You should ask only supplementary question. This cannot be permitted. We have to give consideration to the time. We move on to the next item in the order paper.”
S.M. Marikkar raising a point of order said that the government Cabinet, state and deputy ministerial posts to serve their people. The Opposition MPs had only one opportunity and that was by raising the people’s questions. “That is our right. Do not deprive us of our right,” MP Marikkar said.
The Speaker said that his concern too was to ensure the MPs’ rights and for that purpose time had to be managed.
Minister Fernando said that MP Withanage had not raised a single supplementary question and made a speech instead and, therefore, if the latter could raise a specific question the government was ready to answer them.
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Gender inequality is not a women’s issue, it is a societal issue that demands attitudinal and behavioural transformation. – Prime Minister

“For countries like Sri Lanka, collaborative efforts like THRIVE are essential in ensuring gender parity and eliminating gender-based violence”
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the official launch of ’THRIVE- Together for Her: Resilience-building, Inclusivity, and Voices for Equality in Sri Lanka’, held on Tuesday [25 March] at the Australian High Commission in Colombo which was jointly hosted by the High Commissioner of Australia, UN Women, and Chrysalis.
THRIVE is a five-year initiative implemented by UN Women and Chrysalis, and funded by the Government of Australia. This project contributes to achieving Outcome 6 – “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” – of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Sri Lanka 2023-2027, which has been co-signed by the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations, guiding the work of the UN system in Sri Lanka.
The project aims to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in Sri Lanka by strengthening the economic and social resilience of marginalized women to navigate and recover from crises, insecurity, and the impacts of climate change aiming women with disabilities, women-headed households, and women in the plantation sector across six districts – Mannar, Kilinochchi, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Moneragala, and Colombo.
Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized the need for structural and attitudinal change for ensuring gender parity and eliminate violence against women.
“Sri Lanka ranks high on the Human Development Index, with a literacy rate exceeding 92%, and over 60% of university students being women. However, only 35% of women participate in the paid workforce. It is necessary to find ways and means to ensure that women have opportunities to contribute towards the economy through employment opportunities and equal pay with given a dully acknowledge and recognize unpaid work and unpaid care work, which are often disproportionately carried out by women.
The Parliament of Sri Lanka adopted the Women Empowerment Act in 2024 which includes the establishment of an independent National Commission on Women to oversee women’s rights, and to create of a National Fund for Women. The administrative process for appointing the Commissioners is currently underway.
Further, as a government, we have implemented several benefits for women and young women under the national budget. As Minister of Education, I can confidently say that we have allocated funds to ensure children from marginalized communities have access to education including providing free uniforms, shoes, sanitary facilities, meals, books, and a stipend, ensuring that no child drops out due to economic barriers.
However, it is statistically proven that the 90% of women faced sexual harassment in public transport at least once in their lifetime and the Global Gender Gap Index of Sri Lanka lists at 122 among 146 countries that marks gender disparity is not just a women’s issue. It is a societal challenge that transcends gender, race, religion, and age.
Moreover, new threats are emerging. While digital tools offer great potential for development and technological advancement, they are also being misused to silence women, amplify biases, and fuel harassment. It is essential to create an inclusive digital space where everyone—regardless of gender, race, religion, or age—has equal opportunities to thrive in the digital age. The government remains committed to closing the gender digital divide and ensuring that women, especially young women, can participate independently in the digital economy.
Gender inequality is not a women issue, it is a societal issue that demands policy change, education, attitudinal and behavioural transformation. For countries like Sri Lanka, collaborative efforts like THRIVE are essential in creating a future where all women have equal opportunities to thrive.”
The event was attended by the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens; UN Women Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Maria Holtsberg; United Nations Resident Coordinator, . Marc-Andr Franche; and other esteemed dignitaries.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Ambassador of the Czech Republic meets Sri Lankan PM to strengthen bilateral relations

The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Sri Lanka, Ms. Dr. Eliska Zigova, met with Sri Lanka Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees on Tuesday [25th of March]. The meeting underscored the longstanding friendship between the two nations and explored avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya welcomed Ambassador Zigova and acknowledged the Czech Republic’s continued support for Sri Lanka. In response, Ambassador Zigova commended the new government’s commitment to democratic governance and holding two peaceful elections, reflecting political stability and public trust.
Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties. Ambassador Zigova emphasized the importance of existing agreements and reiterated her government’s willingness to expand collaboration in key areas. Particular attention was given to discuss the posibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on science and education, aimed at building academic partnerships, research collaboration, and knowledge exchange between institutions in both countries.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya highlighted the “Clean Sri Lanka Programme,” a nationwide initiative dedicated to environmental conservation and urban sustainability. Additionally, the two dignitaries discussed prospects for enhancing tourism, with the Prime Minister inviting more Czech visitors to experience Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and growing eco-tourism sector.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Embassy of the Czech Republic to Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan delegation included Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, and P.R.S.S. Gunaratna, Director General of the Europe & North America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
News
Two HC judges withdraw from hearing Krrish case

Alleged criminal misappropriation of Rs 70 mn:
Colombo High Court judges Manjula Thilakaratne and Sujeewa Nissanka yesterday (27) withdrew from hearing Krrish case involving SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa.
The Attorney General in late January this year filed indictments against Rajapaksa. The former minister has been accused of criminal misappropriation of Rs. 70 mn provided by Krrish Group for the development of rugby in Sri Lanka.
HC judge Thilakaratne declared his withdrawal from the case having referred to certain comments directed at him on social media. The judge said that his decision was influenced by comments made by journalists Poddala Jayantha and Sanath Balasuriya.
Subsequently HC judge Sujeewa Nissanka, too, declared his intention to quit.
The case would be called before Colombo Chief High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige on May 21 to name a suitable judge for the case to be referred.
The Krrish deal was first investigated by the yahapalana government.
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