For as long as she has held public office, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has been subject to misogynistic attacks and vitriol. The latest of these have been in response to the misprinting, in a Grade 6 English language module, the name of a website considered age inappropriate.
This has escalated the issue from being about children’s wellbeing and gaps in due diligence in printing of educational materials to one of undue homophobic hysteria to justify vicious, sexualised attacks against the Prime Minister. As the Minister of Education and the most prominent proponent of education reforms, Prime Minister Amarasuriya has received much of the blame for this error. The absence of effective safeguards has allowed this culture of hate speech and misogyny, perpetrated by some political actors, and misogynistic citizens alike, and amplified by certain media houses to persist unchecked.
We, the undersigned 188 individuals and 27 organizations, affirm the importance of transparency, internal investigation, and accountability in relation to educational materials. Children’s wellbeing and the integrity of public education are paramount. A politically engaged and informed public is essential to democracy. However, accountability cannot be weaponised to legitimise misogynistic abuse. Sexualised harassment is not political critique. Character assassination is not democratic engagement. We reject the double standards imposed on women politicians and condemn the opportunistic participation of public figures and private individuals in this smear campaign.
We unequivocally condemn the vicious, sexualised, and misogynistic attacks directed at Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on social media and beyond, including hate speech and harassment by citizens who mobilise misogyny to police women’s presence in public life. These acts constitute gender-based political violence and represent a direct assault on democratic participation, equality, and the rule of law. They are not isolated incidents or mere “online abuse,” but deliberate political acts intended to intimidate women, delegitimise their leadership, and force them out of public life. Such violence targets not only individual women, but the very principle of equal and inclusive representation.
We stand in full solidarity with the Prime Minister and with all women political representatives who have been subjected to similar attacks. They hold public office by democratic mandate and exercise their leadership with legitimacy, competence, and courage. They are not alone, and they will not be silenced. These attacks violate Sri Lanka’s binding obligations under CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the ICCPR, the International Convention of Civil and Political Rights, which require the State to eliminate discrimination and violence against women in political and public life and to guarantee participation in public affairs free from intimidation or coercion. They also contravene UN standards recognising violence against women in politics as a serious threat to democracy.
We call on the Government of Sri Lanka to prevent, investigate, and prosecute all acts of gender-based political violence, whether online or offline. All political parties, not only those in government, must publicly defend women representatives and ensure their safety and equal participation. Digital platforms must act swiftly to remove harmful content and prevent the spread of misogynistic abuse. Democracy cannot be defended while women are punished for leading. Protecting women’s political participation is not optional, it is a democratic imperative. We will continue to speak out, organise collectively, and demand accountability until women can exercise political power free from violence and fear.
Endorsements
Individual
1. Prof. Emeritus Jayadeva Uyangoda
2. Prof. Emeritus Kamala Liyanage
3. Prof. Emeritus Neloufer de Mel
4. Prof. Gameela Samarasinghe
5. Prof. Prabha Manuratne
6. Prof. Shermal Wijewardene
7. Prof. Sumathy Sivamohan
8. Prof. Dileni Gunawardena
9. Dimithri Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law & Chairperson, Women’s Solidarity Network
10. Hejaaz Hizbullah, Attorney-at-Law
11. J. Virajini Tennakoon, Attorney-at-Law
12. Prashanthi Mahindaratne, Attorney-atLaw
13. Pujanee Galappaththi, Attorney-at-Law
14. Udeni Tewarapperuma, Attorney-at-Law
15. Adhil Suraj Vimukthi, Executive Director, Equite
16. Ajitha A.
17. Ambika Satkunanathan
18. Amila de Mel, Chartered Architect
19. Ampika Rajasegeram
20. Anberiya Hanifa
21. Andrew Samuel, Community Development Services (CDS)
22. Anushka Opatha, Women and Media Collective
23. Anushya Coomaraswamy, Accountant
24. Arulmary, Estate Level Group Leader, ELWL
25. Aruni John
26. Avanthi Sahabandu, Television Producer
27. Azra Jafferjee
28. Balasingham Skanthakumar, Co-editor, Polity
29. Buhary Mohamed, Human Rights Activist
30. Caryll Tozer
31. D. T. Fernando, Co MD
32. Devi Shamila, ELWL
33. Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy
34. Dr. Amali Wedagedara, Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS)
35. Dr. Aruni Samarakoon, University of Ruhuna
36. Dr. Asha L Abeyasekera, University of York
37. Dr. Chulani Kodikara, Co-editor, Polity
38. Dr. Farzana Haniffa
39. Dr. Misha’ari Weerabangsa
40. Dr. Natasha Balendra, Attorney at Law
41. Dr. Pamudu Tennakoon
42. Dr. Sanjana Hattotuwa
43. Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran
44. Dr. Senel Wanniarachchi, University of Oxford
45. Dr. Sepali Kottegoda, Women and Media Collective
46. Dilrukshi Handunnetti, Journalist
47. Druvinka Samuel, Women and Media Collective
48. Dulani Hannadige, Women and Media Collective
49. Kumudini Samuel, Women and Media Collective
50. F. Jefa
51. F. Jeseela
52. Fahira, Activist
53. Gajenthini Umadevan
54. Gowribalan Jayasuthan
55. H. Nihala Sahani
56. H. P. Fernando
57. Hana Ibrahim, Senior Journalist
58. Harshana Kirushna
59. Hemalatha K., Activist
60. Imran Rajabdeen, Civic Activist
61. Irasaiah Selvarajah
62. J.A.J.Y. Jayasinghe, Projects Officer, EQUAL GROUND
63. J. Sneka
64. Jansila Majeed
65. Jeyanthi Suntharaj
66. Jumana Hamdun
67. Juweria Mohideen
68. K. Humaidha
69. K. Mahaluxmy
70. K. Mahan
71. K. Nihal Ahamed
72. K. Pushpavathy
73. Kalatharshini Jorch
74. Kamala Vasuki, Artist, Batticaloa
75. Kamanee Hapugalle
76. Kamani Jinadasa, Shanthi Maargam
77. Kanaka Abeygunawardana, Independent Consultant
78. Kanapathippilai Paramanandam
79. Kishani Karunaidas
80. Kounthini R, Vallamai Traveler
81. Krishni Kanthasamy Ifham, Freelance Journalist/Media Trainer & Founder of Tamil Speaking Women Journalist Association
82. Kumary, Activist
83. Eeshwary Selvakumar
84. Kuvenitha S.
85. L. Kasmy
86. Lugadharini Yogaraja
87. M. Faheema
88. M.Ramaletchumy, Women’s Solidarity Front
89. M. M. Shammama
90. M. Nithrshini
91. M.S.Thevagowry, Media Trainer & Lecturer
92. Mangayatkarasi Selvarajah
93. Marianne David, Journalist
94. Mariyarosari S., Activist
95. Melani Gunathilaka
96. Menika Vanderpoorten
97. N. Nasroon
98. N. Thasneem Banu
99. Nabeela Iqbal, Human Rights Activist
100.Naduni Madumali, Gender Activist
101.Nehama Jayawardene
102.Nelun Gunasekera, Consultant on Gender and Social Inclusion
103.Niranjani Roland, South Asian Women in Media
104.Niranji, Grassroots Women Activist
105.Nirmala M., Activist
106.Nirmala T.
107.Niroshini Mahendran, Feminist activist, Batticaloa
108.Niththika S., Artist
109.Nivanthini S., Vallamai Traveler
110.P. K. Chamila Thushari, Executive Director of Dabindu Collective
111.P. Logeswary, Human Development Organization
112.P. Sivakala
113.Paba Deshapriya, The Grassrooted Trust
114.Padma Pushpakanthi
115.Pamodi Waravita, Journalist
116.Peter Rezel
117.Prema Gamage, Consultant on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
118.Priyanthi Fernando
119.Puvanesasingham Janahan
120.Radhika Hettiarachchi, Research Fellow, International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES)
121.Rahman. A
122.Raisa Wickrematunge, Senior Editor
123.Rajany Rajeswary, Feminist Activist
124.Ramaletchumi, Informal Sector Trade Unionist
125.Ramla Wahab-Salman, American Institute for Lankan Studies Colombo (AILS)
126.Randika Alwis, Field Coordinator, Equite Nuwara Eliya Branch
127.Rani, Activist
128.Rasika Rajabdeen
129.Raveendran V.
130.Renuka Senanayake
131.Rishana Haniffa
132.Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Executive Director- EQUAL GROUND
133.Ruki Fernando
134.Ruwani Rubasinghe, Women and Media Collective
135.S. Jegatheswary
136.S. Karthika
137.S. Thamiliny
138.S. Yasothara
139.Sachini Perera
140.Sakuntala Kadirgamar, Executive Director, Law and Society Trust
141.Saman Kumara, Executive Director, Heart to Heart Lanka
142.Sandun Thudugala
143.Sarankan K.
144.Sarathadevi Paramanandam
145.Saritha Irugalbandara
146.Sathiyavanie Simon Silva
147.Saththiyaseelan K, Activist and Artist
148.Senura Randeniye, Women and Media Collective
149.Shafinaz Hassendeen
150.Shamini V., Activist
151.Sharanya Sekaram – Independent Consultant
152.Sharmini Boyle, Media Consultant
153.Sharmini Ratwatte
154.Sharni Jayawardena, Documentary Filmmaker
155.Sherine Xavier, The Social Architects
156.Shiranee Mills
157.Shreen Abdul Saroor
158.Shyamani Hettiarachchi, University of Kelaniya
159.Skandha Gunasekara
160.Stella Phillip
161.Suganthini S.
162.Sujatha J.
163.Sujica Janahan
164.Sumika Perera, Women’s Resource Center
165.T. Mallika
166.T.Fattima
167.Thahira Cader
168.Tharanga de Silva, Women and Media Collective
169.Tharindi Devasurendra
170.Thashvini Umadevan
171.Thasneema Dahlan
172.Thayalini J.
173.Thileepan S., Social activist
174.Thilini de Alwis
175.Thushara Manoj, Chairperson, Equite
176.Thushari Madahapola, Movement for the Defence of Democratic Rights
177.Thusitha Dombagammana, Chartered Architect
178.Thusitha Jayasundera
179.Tracy Holsinger, Theatre Director
180.U. F. Azza
181.V. Subashini
182.V. Weerasingham
183.Vanamali Galappatti, Women and Media Collective
184.Vanitha Mahendran
185.Vijayaparani Jayasuthan
186.Vinu Wijesekara
187.Zahrah Rizwan, Independent Researcher
188.Zainab Ibrahim
Organizations
1. Women and Media Collective
2. Aaniver Products Pvt. Ltd
3. Community Development Services (CDS)
4. Dabindu Collective
5. Delete Nothing
6. Eastern Social Development Foundation
7. EQUAL GROUND
8. Equite Sri Lanka
9. Human Development Organization
10. Human Elevation Organization (HEO)
11. Law and Society Trust
12. Mannar Women Development Federation
13. Movement for the Defence of Democratic Rights
14. Muslim Women’s Development Trust
15. Samathai Feminists Collective, Batticaloa
16. Savisthri National Women’s Movement
17. Sisterhood Initiative
18. South Asian Women in Media (SAWM), Sri Lanka
19. THOLAMAI.V
20. Uva Wellassa Women Organization
21. Vallamai Movement for Social Change
22. Women’s Action Network
23. Women’s Education and Research Centre (WERC)
24. Women’s Resource Center
25. Women’s Centre Sri Lanka
26. Women’s Solidarity Front
27. Women’s Solidarity Network (WSN)
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