President commends resilience of womenfolk
[March 08, 2005 - 9.00 GMT]

International Women’s Day 2005 is being commemorated sans pageantry this year. The emphasis this time is on the role women in the aftermath of the recent disaster. The theme this year of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for Asia is `Rebuilding Women's Lives in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster' while the United Nations theme of the day is `Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a more secure future'.

At low key event at the President’s House this afternoon the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare will launch a Trust Fund' for women's welfare activities. Earlier in the day the President will attend the National Convention of the Women's Wing of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo. The theme of the convention is 'Sri Lanka Freedom Party for Women of our Time'.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga in her message to mark Women's Day commends the resilience of womenfolk and says she believes the strength of mind and courage displayed by women in Sri Lanka at this tragic moment helped their families overcome the ordeals.

Full text of the message;

Women’s Day this year is being commemorated, in the aftermath of an unprecedented natural disaster, the most devastating in our living memory. I am glad to note that the focus this year is on women’s empowerment with the emphasis on disaster management. The resilience of womenfolk becomes more evident in the face of a disaster or a challenge. I believe the strength of mind and courage displayed by our women at this tragic moment helped their families overcome the ordeals.

We should all commend the invaluable service rendered by the women of Sri Lanka as individuals and with government and non-governmental organizations, foreign groups and institutions when tragedy struck.

I am proud of the commitment displayed by our women to rebuild the lives of our people and their dedication achieving a lasting peace.

I thank the Ministry of Womens’ Empowerment & Social Welfare in all their efforts to promote women’s fundamental rights, the formulation of policies, planning and their implementation.

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

Contact Information: Send mail to gosl@presidentsl.org with questions or comments about this web site. 
Last Updated Date: March 08, 2005 - 9.00 GMT