Opposition marks Women’s Day with acts of solidarity and protests

Sri Lanka’s Opposition parties yesterday marked the International Women’s Day with acts of solidarity in Parliament and protests on the country’s streets. The main Opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), led by Sajith Premadasa celebrated the day by donning bands in the colours of orange, green and yellow in Parliament. The wristband was handed to Premadasa by SJB MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna and Harshana Rajakaruna. Expressing his views on the occasion, Premadasa highlighted the importance of implementing a stronger program through Parliament to prevent violence against women. The Opposition Leader also made a special statement in Parliament on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Meanwhile, the National People’s Power (NPP) party took to the streets yesterday to mark the event. Women for Rights, the women’s wing of the party held a demonstration near the Diyatha Uyana in Battaramulla led by female NPP leaders MP Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Saroja Savithri Paulraj and Samanmalee Gunasinghe. The women held placards consisting of slogans against the rising cost of living, tax burden, electricity tariff hikes and the delaying of local Government elections. A tense situation also arose between the protestors and police during the demonstration.