Despite the passage of the Women’s Empowerment Act in 2024, Sri Lanka’s long-awaited National Commission for Women remains stalled due to delays in staffing and regulations, raising questions about the government’s commitment to women’s rights.
The Empowerment of Women Act, No. 37 of 2024, officially came into effect in July last year, promising a new era for women’s rights in Sri Lanka. The landmark legislation was designed to empower women, introduce a national policy for their advancement, establish a National Commission for Women, and create legal mechanisms to protect women’s rights. Yet more than a year later, the Commission is still not fully operational, leaving activists and citizens questioning the pace of implementation.
The purpose of the Act
The Women’s Empowerment Act provides a framework for safeguarding women’s rights while ensuring justice for victims of abuse and discrimination. It mandates the establishment of a National Commission for Women, which will consist of five to seven members. Five of these members must be appointed through recommendations from the Constitutional Council, while the remaining two are to be appointed by the President on the recommendations of women Members of Parliament.
The Act grants the Commission significant powers, including the ability to receive and investigate complaints of violations of women’s rights, intervene in ongoing court proceedings with judicial approval, request evidence and reports, and make policy recommendations. According to the Act, investigations must begin within one month of receiving a complaint, and if necessary, cases should be filed with the relevant authorities. Those dissatisfied with Commission decisions will also have the right to appeal.
Who are the members?
After much delay, the government appointed members of the National Commission for Women on September 9. The body is chaired by Dr. Ramani Devika Jayasundara. Other members include Dr. M.L.K.C. Kalana Senaratne, Janaha Selvarasa, Dhammika Somaratne, A.S. Sithara Sheen, Dr. Patma Sriyani Gunaratne and Jayanthi Kuru-Uthumpala.
Although the leadership is now in place, Nilmini Herath, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, confirmed that the Commission must still prepare regulations, recruit staff and officers, and take other necessary administrative steps before it can begin its work.
Why the delay?
Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Dr. Namal Sudarshana admitted that the delay stems from administrative shortcomings. He noted that while the Commission exists in name, the President has yet to appoint an Executive Director and a full cadre of staff. Until that is completed, the Commission cannot function effectively.
“Our aim is to establish the Commission by December this year, within 2025, and ensure that it is fully operational by next year,” Dr. Sudarshana explained. He added that once the Commission begins functioning, district-level offices will be opened across the country to ensure that women’s rights can be safeguarded at the grassroots.
The fate of the Women’s Committee
Currently, women’s issues are handled by the existing Women’s Committee. However, questions remain about its future role once the new Commission is fully operational. Deputy Minister Sudarshana suggested that the Committee might be dissolved, with its responsibilities transferred to the new Commission.
“The Women’s Committee is now intervening in women’s issues, but once the Commission is established, we will need to decide whether it is still necessary. It may be abolished and its offices replaced by those of the Commission,” he said.
What lies ahead?
While the Act was hailed as a progressive step toward strengthening women’s rights in Sri Lanka, the slow pace of implementation raises doubts about the government’s commitment. Women’s rights advocates argue that without swift action, the promises of empowerment will remain only on paper.
If the government fulfills its pledge, the National Commission for Women will not only handle complaints but also function as a watchdog for gender equality, ensuring accountability across institutions. For many women across the island, the Commission could become a beacon of justice and empowerment — but only if it is allowed to begin its work without further delay.
SOURCE :- BBC SINHALA
