A discussion with the newly appointed Chairperson and key members of the National Commission on Women was held yesterday (23) at the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

The National Commission on Women, established under the Women’s Empowerment Act No. 37 of 2024, is an independent institution. During the discussion, officials were instructed by the Hon. Minister to provide full support through the National Women’s Committee and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, ensuring the establishment of necessary infrastructure and other arrangements for the Commission to commence its operations.

The discussion was attended by the Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj; the Deputy Minister, Dr. Namal Sudarshana; the newly appointed Chairperson of the National Commission on Women, Dr. Ramani Jayasundara; Commission Members Ms. Janaha Selvaras, Senior Lecturer, Department of Legal Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka; Consultant Neurologist Dr. Padma Shriyani Gunaratne; the Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Tharangani Wickramasinghe; and other senior officials of the Ministry.

This independent Commission, established to safeguard and promote the rights and protection of Sri Lankan women, is expected to commence its official operations in the near future.