Addressing the Women’s Day celebration of Gampaha District held on Saturday (08) in Kadawatha under theme of “Rebuilding the Nation with Women’s Strength,” Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that women will take the lead in transforming this nation into a refined and humane nation in the upcoming decade.

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:

Celebration of Women’s Day in this year is particularly significant as it marks the year in which the victories are achieved through years of struggles, protests and perseverance.

I will reflect how past governments used force against women when we stand for our rights. The women sitting here today were the ones who shielded me from water cannons during the protests. Savitri Paul Raj, who raised her voice for our rights back then, now holds the esteemed position of Minister of Women’s Affairs. The path to this victory was never easy.

However, this does not mark the end. The power we establish through protests does not satisfy our victory. It has only been three months since we came to power, and we have already presented a budget to implement our policies for the next nine months.

The opposition urges us to refrain from discussing the past, but the reality is that 80% of our current efforts are dedicated to fixing the problems they created. We are implementing the vision of the present government while cleaning up the mess they left.

We came into power with a vision to rebuild the nation. We work systematically, while carefully identifying the issues.

Women cannot step back now. This is a time to work harder than ever to establish the victories that have been achieved, and to move forward with the dedication of achieving goals.

Women are given significant responsibility in the upcoming local government elections to increase female representation to 25%. This is not an impossible task.

Women have stepped forward to build a new future and rewrite history. In order to achieve this social transformation, steps should be taken to initiate discussions within society, prepare the community and to take the lead.

Our role is not limited to politics or entering Parliament. Women must initiate the lead across different sectors.

When it comes to education, we need a system that produces capable e individuals who can provide the leadership this country requires. The best teachers and educational reforms are needed for that. To achieve these reforms, we must initiate discussions in society.

Even though changes can be determined through a conceptual transformation, attitudinal changes should be there in initiating the practical transformation. Just as we strive to give the best to our own children, we must work to provide the best for all children in this country. Transforming society requires collective effort, and each of us must take responsibility.

Love, compassion, solidarity, and empathy are not new concepts for women. I strongly believe that in the upcoming decade, women will take the lead in transforming this nation into a compassionate and humane country.

The event was attended by Gampaha District Leader and Minister Vijitha Herath, Member of Parliament Hemali Weerasekera, Gampaha District Executive Council Member Prof. Seetha Bandara, along with members and the representatives of the National People’s Power (NPP).

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Thirty-seven senior police officers have been transferred with immediate effect. They include 28 Officers-in-Charge (OICs) and five Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs). Four SSPs have been appointed Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs).

The police transfers have caused concern to the Opposition. Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader and Attorney-at-Law Udaya Gammanpila yesterday asked the government to explain why it had transferred 37 police officers with an election only a few weeks away. The spokespersons for other Opposition parties, such as the SJB and the SLPP, said they were studying the issue and would make their positions known soon.

Gammanpila said: “This is an election period as deposits are being collected for the forthcoming Local Government polls. Public servants cannot be transferred during this period. The IGP has transferred 37 senior police officers. The time duration between the date of announcing an election and the date announcing election results is considered as an election period. It is not only unethical but also unlawful to effect transfers in the public sector during the election period unless it is approved by the Election Commission (EC). It is irrational to conclude that transferring police officers were approved by the EC because such transfers have a direct impact on election activities. Hence, we urge the government to disclose whether these transfers were approved by the EC. If the transfers were approved by the EC, then the EC will have to explain the rationale behind the transfers.”

The police transfers have been made in the following manner: IP HHY Madhusankha from Galle Division to OIC of Pitigala, CI PHSC de Silva from Galle Division to OIC-Habaraduwa, IP WVCP Wijeratne from Negombo Division to OIC-Nungamuwa, IP BD Colombage from OIC-Baduraliya to OIC-Akkarayankulam, CI PP Wedisinghe from OIC-Udasirigama to OIC-Baduraliya,  IP WDB Fonseka from Trincomalee Division to Udasirigama-OIC, IP CD Wickremaratne from OIC-Lunugamvehera to general duties of Moneragala Division, CI LLA de Silva from Elpitiya Division to OIC-Lunugamvehera, IP TCA Rajakaruna from OIC- Alubomulla to OIC-Anguruatota, IP WKSL Wijeweera from OIC- Panadura North to OIC-Alubomulla, CI WAT Sarathchandra from Panadura Division to OIC-Panadura North, CI HRHN Bandara from Kuliyapitiya Division to OIC-Hettipola, CI KOP Abeyratne from Terrorist Investigation Division to OIC-Kiribathgoda, CI KA Darshana, from Panadura Division to OIC-Thebuwana, CI PL Keerthisinghe from OIC-Uragasmanhandiya to OIC-Morawewa, IP HSJ Ranga from Tangalle Division to OIC-Uragasmanhandiya, CI AC Rajapaksa from OIC-Weerawila to OIC-Bandaradoowa, IP DMN Pushpakumara from Trincomalee Division to OIC-Weerawila, CI MWBJ Bandara from Matale Division to OIC-Harbour Police, CI KKJ Thushara from OIC Ruwanwella to HQI-Talaimannar, CI HGSPKA Chandrasiri from OIC-Human Rights Division to OIC-Ruwanwella, IP SADDSP Dissanayake from OIC-Pindeniya to OIC-Kodikamam, WCI AAAK Abeysekera from Kegalle Division to OIC-Pindeniya, CI ULDS Priyantha from Galle Division to OIC-Ratgama, CI WPA Sanath Kumara from OIC-Hakmana to HQI-Weligama, IP HMJ Ratnayake from Matara Division to OIC-Hakmana, IP JMDH Jayathunga from Badulla Division to OIC-Kandeketiya, CI R Amila from Embilipitiya Division to OIC-Ambalantota, SSP AHN Asanka from Director Commission to Investigate Allegations on Bribery and Corruption to OIC-Division Kelaniya, SSP RGAB Gunatilake from OIC-Division Kelaniya to OIC-Division Teldeniya, SSP KKK Gunasekera from Director Communication Division to OIC- Division Bandarawela, SSP NRHP Gunasekera from Transport Division to Director same division, SSP MNS Mendis from Director- Research and Development to Batticaloa Division, SSP WPJ Senadheera from Director Human Resource Management and International Relations Division to Western Province (Traffic) Division, SSP DMMAB Mahagirigalla from Director Transport to Ratnapura Division and SSP KMUP Kalupahana from OIC-Division Bandarawela to Moneragala Division.

A historic increase in the number of female members of Parliament has been hailed as a significant achievement but further action is needed for more female representation, says Deputy Co-Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Chamindranee Kiriella.

Addressing the media at the parliamentary complex on Saturday (8) to mark Women’s Day, Kiriella said that although the record number of women MPs in the 10th Parliament was an important milestone, it still fell short of the representation needed to truly reflect the country’s demographics and women’s role in politics. “It is mandatory to maintain female representation in local government bodies at 25%. Parliament should have more than 10 percent of its MPs as females. Several countries in the region, including Pakistan, have female representation in Parliament at around 30%,” Kiriella said.

While acknowledging the achievement of having 10% female representation in Parliament, Kiriella stressed that much more needed to be done to ensure greater female participation in political life. She also noted that the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has a crucial role to play in pushing for faster progress, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts beyond party lines to address the barriers women face in politics.

“We must work to ensure that more women are encouraged to join politics. This is just the beginning, and we have a long road ahead to achieve greater gender equality in decision-making,” Kiriella said.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarsuriya also marked the occasion by highlighting the importance of this achievement in the context of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights. She warned that the country’s victory, which has led to the highest number of female parliamentarians in history, should not be undermined by reactionary forces.

“This victory, achieved through a long and hard-fought struggle, should be celebrated with pride on Women’s Day,” Dr. Amarsuriya said. “We must continue to build on this momentum to ensure that women’s voices are heard and respected in all spheres of society.”

Previously, Sri Lanka’s Parliament saw a maximum of 13 female MPs. However, the current Parliament now includes 22 women, a historic high that Prime Minister Amarsuriya described as a victory not just for women but for society.

“The increase in female representation is not an accident—it’s the result of years of advocacy and action,” she said. “We are committed to systematically dismantling the barriers that prevent women from participating fully in political and public life.”

In line with the celebrations for International Women’s Day, Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj announced that a Women’s Week will be observed, with a series of events aimed at promoting women’s rights and empowerment. She noted that, for the first time, many previously unheard voices from marginalized communities are now being represented in Parliament.

“This is a turning point, and we will use this increased representation to drive forward the country’s development, making sure the perspectives and concerns of women are central to policy decisions,” said Minister Paulraj.

Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and the Secretary General of Parliament, underscored the Caucus’s ongoing commitment to expanding women’s participation in politics. She outlined the group’s efforts to protect women’s rights, prevent violence against women, and ensure equal rights for female workers.

” Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus will continue to press for policies that promote equality and ensure that women are fully represented in political, social, and economic spheres,” Rohanadeera said.