SRI LANKA: Women Have Played an Exemplary Role in Developing Sri Lanka

Today is the International Women's Day. The origin of this day, dates back to the year 1857 in which the employees of a garment factory in New York staged protest against its administration.

The World Women's Forum was established in 1910 following the unanimous acceptance of a motion submitted by the German National Clara Setkin at a conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark to declare today as the International Women's Day. After the UN convention was signed by Sri Lankan in 1983 the women's day is being held on a grand scale in this country.

President Mahinda Rajapakse issuing a message on the International Women's Day points out those women in Sri Lanka are tendering a great service for the building of the future generation. They are also contributing immensely for the development of the country. He has said that the women of this country who made enormous dedication will receive the adoration of the nation.

Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne is his message points out that the responsibility of building the nation rests with the women of this country. He said the government has introduced many programmes for the benefit of the women folk. The Sri Lankan function relating to the international women's day will be held at the BMICH this morning. The theme of the function will be “Her knowledge and strength for building the nation”.

Meanwhile, addressing a function held yesterday at the Sugathadasa stadium on the women's day, organised by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, President Mahinda Rajapakse has said that the United Peoples Freedom Alliance always dedicated to protect the rights of women and serve their needs. He has said that the government will not hesitate to uphold the voice of the women and to provide strength to it. Severely condemning the inhuman assault made by the United National Party supporters on a pregnant candidate, the President emphasized that this type of despicable politics should be eradicated from this country.

He said that it was the women of this country who was responsible for the United Peoples National Alliance becoming victorious in 24 elections. He further said that when the alliance government loss the elections the United National Party subjected the women folk to indiscriminate revenge.

The President commended the services rendered by the late Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranayake and the parliamentarian Kamala Ranathunga for the party.

At this function the honourary award named Vihara Maha Devi award was presented to the mother of the President Mrs. Dandina Dissanayake. The award was accepted by the president's sister Mrs. Gandini Rajapakse.