During the Parliamentary debate on the Budget on the 20th of November, MP Janaka Thissakutti Arachchi used misogynist and sexist language against MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna. He ridiculed her very valid remarks in opposition to the Budget, to make her statement seem an ugly joke. As repulsive as the MPs speech was, the fact that he was cheered on and also his time extended, enabling him to continue his hateful tirade is as shameful as the speech itself.
The normalization of this kind of hate speech in the political arena and in the Parliamentary debates, for the sake of visibility, displays the bankruptcy of not only political ideals but more importantly how women are characterized and placed within the patriarchal context, the political culture in Parliament and also the country. It is disheartening that, in a country that is still struggling to achieve even 25% of female representation in politics, this behaviour not only demoralizes women already involved in politics but also enables violence against women at homes, in public transport, or even in schools.
We call on the MP Thissakutti Arachchi to immediately issue an apology to the MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna and the Parliament to implement mechanisms to prevent such hateful speech. We call on the MPs representing the people to think and act in a manner that instils an ethical political culture in Parliament and in the country.