Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar forcefully defends Stephanie Siriwardena’s prison committee appointment, condemning misogynistic attacks and warning against the dangerous normalization of online abuse in Sri Lanka’s public life.
Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar has strongly condemned the wave of criticism and personal insults directed at Stephanie Siriwardena following her appointment to the Prison Monitoring Committee. Responding to the controversy, the Mayor said the social media attacks reflect a deeply rooted misogynistic mindset that continues to undermine women in public service.
She emphasized that targeting a woman’s appearance and invading her privacy for political purposes is unacceptable and morally repugnant. According to the Mayor, Stephanie Siriwardena is not only qualified but has spent years actively contributing to prison welfare, inmate rehabilitation, and broader prison reform initiatives across Sri Lanka.
The Mayor noted that Siriwardena’s work in this sector was carried out without seeking publicity or personal gain. Instead, she has consistently used her public profile and influence to support social good, particularly in areas often ignored by mainstream attention.
Highlighting a wider issue, the Mayor said online harassment of women in public life has become a serious and growing concern in Sri Lanka. She stressed that the attacks against Stephanie Siriwardena are not isolated but part of a broader pattern aimed at silencing women through intimidation and humiliation.
“No amount of intimidation or shaming can stop a woman who has identified her purpose. We must speak out more strongly and clearly against such pressures,” the Mayor stated.
She concluded by expressing regret that public debate has focused more on appearance than professional merit, calling for a more respectful and issue-based political discourse.
