Category: Local

Statement on stoning of migrant worker from the Prime Ministers Task Force on Violence Against Women

The task force on violence against women is shocked that a Sri Lankan migrant worker has been sentenced to death by stoning in Saudi Arabia for the crime of adultery. Adultery is not a crime in Sri Lanka. Besides, the Sri Lankan justice system does not recognize the punishment of stoning. Such a punishment is … Continue reading Statement on stoning of migrant worker from the Prime Ministers Task Force on Violence Against Women

UN-backed forum against gender based violence opposes death penalty *Deputy Justice Minister calls for devolution of AG’s powers – The Island

Source: The Island Women and Child Affairs Minister Chandrani Bandara addressing the media at Colombo Hilton Residences on Thursday. She is flanked by Deputy Justice Minister Dushmantha Mithrapala and Dr. Sepali Kottegoda (Pic by Sujatha Jayaratne) By Shamindra Ferdinando The UN-backed Forum against Gender Based Violence yesterday declared that it wouldn’t back moves being made … Continue reading UN-backed forum against gender based violence opposes death penalty *Deputy Justice Minister calls for devolution of AG’s powers – The Island

Legal recognition for sex workers in Sri Lanka? – The Daily Mirror

Source: Daily Mirror The demand for sex workers is overlooked; laws would protect sex workers from violence and harassment Despite the reluctance to openly discuss this subject, is evident that sex workers are abundant in contemporary Sri Lanka. Although they are condemned in terms of cultural and religious aspects, their existence cannot be denied. No … Continue reading Legal recognition for sex workers in Sri Lanka? – The Daily Mirror

Press Release: WMC condemns the attack on HNDA students

2nd October 2015 Press Release Women and Media Collective condemns the police attack on students of the Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (HNDA) while they were protesting opposite the University Grants Commission in Colombo on the 29th of October 2015. We express our deep concern on the manner in which this brutality occurred especially involving … Continue reading Press Release: WMC condemns the attack on HNDA students

Abdicating responsibility – The Sunday Observer

While the video footage of a Sri Lankan housemaid getting assaulted allegedly by her agents in the Kingdom of Kuwait went viral, questions are being raised as to why the victim, 40- year- old Kanthi Thilakalatha was released by the Sri Lankan mission to the agency before the investigation concluded. Thilakalatha is reportedly under medical … Continue reading Abdicating responsibility – The Sunday Observer

Video: Gender Equality a Mixed Bag – Interview with WMC’s Executive Director

Director of Women and Media Collective Dr. Sepali Kottegoda feels that though the number of Sri Lankan working women is higher than ever, they continue to face far too many challenges. Speaking to Benchmark’s Savithri Rodrigo, she notes that women have made forays into the labour force, political processes, and even local and national level … Continue reading Video: Gender Equality a Mixed Bag – Interview with WMC’s Executive Director