Go forward with confidence, full of knowledge and skills to overcome the many challenges that women have to face – Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary General of Parliament, states addressing the students of Kolonnawa Girl’s College

• More than 80 Committees and Caucuses of Parliament play a pivotal and an invisible role – Director Legislative Servises poin out

Addressing the students of Kolonnawa Girl’s College recently, the Secretary General of the Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, inspired the students of Kolonnawa Girl’s College to move forward fearlessly by constantly developing knowledge, skills and self-confidence to overcome the challenges faced by women on their way to leadership.

The Secretary General stated the said while participating in an awareness program regarding the Parliamentary system held at the Parliament for the students representing the student Parliament of Kolonnawa Girl’s College.

The Secretary General pointed out that despite the fact that the world’s first Prime Minister was from Sri Lanka, women’s leadership and representation should continue to grow given the context where women’s representation in Parliament has not yet exceeded 5%. However, the Secretary General further stated that the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, including the female parliamentarians of the Ninth Parliament, has done a great job towards the empowerment of women and their rights in this country, and accordingly, they were able to introduce new laws related to women and amend the existing laws of the past.

She also mentioned that the Parliament of Sri Lanka actively contacted more than 200 student parliaments in the past as it was observed that the parliament had become an institution far from the public. Also, the Secretary General further pointed out that she was able to take many positive steps including providing opportunities to young representatives in the parliamentary committees.

Mr. M. Jayalath Perera, Director Legislative Servises / Director Communication (Acting of Parliament who addressing the students stated that the committees of Parliament play a pivotal role behind the scenes. He further stated that there were 70 committees and it adds up to 83 with the ‘National Council’ consisting of 12 different Caucuses and representatives of all parties in the Ninth Parliament. Furthermore, the students were made aware regarding these committees and their functions.

Furthermore, Mr. Jayalath Perera further pointed out that the Student Parliament performs a very important task for the development of children’s leadership skills and personality.

The students representing the student parliament of Kolonnawa Girl’s College came together to see important sites including the public gallery of the parliament.

Kolonnawa Girl’s College Assistant Principal R. A. S Madhubashini, Department Head Dr. D. M Tamarakanti Dissanayake, Student Parliament in-charge Dr. Nisansala Anuraddhi Galmangoda and a group of teaching staff and Parliament’s Public Outreach Division Manager Ms. Budhini Ramanayake were present at this programme organized by the Communication Department.