Sri Lanka's women have a crucial role to play in the country's development drive - President Rajapaksa

The women of Sri Lanka have a crucial role to play in the country's development drive and they are entrusted with the responsibility of creating a better future generation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.


At a celebration held at the Sugathadasa Stadium today to mark the International Women's Day that falls on tomorrow (March 08), the President said his government always ready to give opportunity to the voice of the women to be heard to safeguard their rights.



International Women's Day celebration was organized by the women's organizations of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The theme for this year's celebration is "Bringing together the great daughters of the land to build a magnificent Sri Lanka."

Margaret Alva, Governor of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and former Indian Minister for Women and Child Development was the Guest of Honour.

President said the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government is always committed to fulfill the responsibilities on its part for the betterment of the women. He pointed out that around 150 female candidates are contesting for the upcoming local government elections under the UPFA ticket.

Condemning the recent attack by the United National Party activists on a pregnant ruling party candidate for local government polls, the President said that such shameful political culture should be eradicated from the society.

The President also praised the service rendered to the party and the country by late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and current MP Kamala Ranatunga.

This year, women's organizations of the SLFP posthumously presented the "Vihara Maha Devi Special Award" to President's mother Mrs. Danditha Samarasinghe Dissanayake Rajapaksa. President's sister Gandhini Rajapaksa accepted the award on behalf of the late mother.

Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, adviser of SLFP women's organizations Pushpa Rajapaksa, Secretary, Ashoka Lankathilake, Treasurer, Kumari Balasuriya and several other women were also present.

Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Basil Rajapaksa, Dullas Alahapperuma, and Tissa Karaliyadda were also present.