The theme for the national celebrations of this day is “Let us protect the girl child”. In a society where there are strong bonds of family with special honour for the mother, protection of the girl has special significance, he added.

The celebration of this important international day should therefore focus on the need to protect the girl child from many dangerous trends in modern society that have little regard for the traditional Sri Lankan values of protection and care for girls and young women, the President emphasized.

Following is the text of the message:

I am pleased to send this message to mark International Women’s Day being celebrated in Sri Lanka as in other countries today.

Women in Sri Lanka hold a special position in the country with their admirable service for economic and social development. From the Garment sector to teaching, literature, medicine, accountancy and other professions, women have achieved recognition for their capabilities. Their professional success is best seen by the four highest positions in the field of law being held by women today.

The theme for the national celebrations of this day is “Let us protect the girl child”. In a society where there are strong bonds of family with special honour for the mother, protection of the girl has special significance. The celebration of this important international day should therefore focus on the need to protect the girl child from many dangerous trends in modern society that have little regard for the traditional Sri Lankan values of protection and care for girls and young women. The girl of today will grow up to be the hand that rocks the cradle that rules the world. It is therefore the duty of our society to ensure the protection of the girl child.

I commend the Ministry of Child Development & Women’s Affairs for their initiative in organizing the celebration of International Women’s Day and wish it every success.