The
Colombo district women councilors were the first to conduct an activity according
to the road maps prepared at the final event of SAPRI’s Empowerment Program, held
on 24 May 2019, attended by women councilors of Ampara, Colombo, Gampaha and Vavuniya. The program is assisted by Embassy of the Netherlands.
The
event was held on 1 June 2019 in Kolonnawa, organised by the women councilors of
the Kolonnawa Urban Council, led by Councilor Gangani Ushanthi Perera. It
is remarkable that they were able to accomplish this target within seven days
only.
Eleven
women Councilors from the Colombo District, representing different political
parties were present at the event. They were from the Municipal Councils of
Colombo and Dehiwala-Mt Lavinia and the Kolonnawa Urban Council. Male
councilors of the local government bodies in the district were also present
while representatives from the community in Kolonnwa were prominently seated in
the audience.
The
theme of the program was “Reconciliation and National Security”.
The
event commenced with religious observances of the clergy of all religions
present on the occasion. The four Buddhist monks present chanted “Seth Pirith”,
following which blessings were offered by the clergy from the Hindu, Islam
& Catholic/Christian religions. The clergy also addressed the gathering.
The
keynote address delivered by former Army Commander Daya Rathnayake highlighted
the importance of harmony in a multi-religious, multi-ethnic society.
Members
from the community were invited to deliver remarks and they took the floor
explaining effectively the virtues of reconciliation and emphasized the
necessity to continue with such harmony and reconciliation enhancing programs.
The
event ended with everybody present joining in to sing the national anthem.
On
the conclusion of the program Kolonnawa Urban Council member and key
organizer of the event Councilor Gangani Ushanthi Perera said “I extend my
respectful thanks to all my sister Councilors, who participated
in the program on ‘Reconciliation and National Security’, as a women's Front and Mrs. Geetha de
Silva & everybody at SAPRI for providing us with knowledge and building our
capacities to organize such events”.
The
event was significant for its timely relevance. The Women Councilors organized
the program as a response to the recent social unrest following the Easter Sunday
Bombings. Their response as women representatives at the grassroots level was an
important manifestation as they were newly elected women councilors who assumed
office through the 25% quota following the 2018 elections. Also, the effort of Women Councilors from the
Kolonnawa Urban Council is a
milestone as it brought together a number of women Councilors from different
local bodies of the district uniting them as a front of women, regardless of
political biases.
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