• Would possess authority to make recomms. on laws affecting women
• Applications called for membership    

The National Committee on Women will soon be upgraded to a National Commission on Women with a legal mandate, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs stated.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Dr. Namal Sudarshana said that the proposed Commission would have the authority to discuss and make recommendations on laws relating to women, adding that the necessary approvals for its establishment have already been received.

“The National Committee on Women has been intervening in matters related to women since 1993. However, it does not have a legal mandate. It can only make recommendations. This proposed Commission will be legally empowered. The ministry has already called applications for its membership. The relevant interviews are currently underway,” he said.

There are frequent allegations that Sri Lankan women continue to face a wide range of challenges, including persistent gender-based violence (GBV), unequal access to political representation, and limited opportunities in decision-making roles. 

Established in 1993, the National Committee on Women is tasked with implementing and directing the provisions of the Women’s Charter approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. It has played a leading role in policymaking and national-level supervision to promote the rights of Sri Lankan women. Its programmes have included initiatives to increase women’s participation in politics and decision-making, measures to address sexual and GBV, as well as advocacy, awareness, and capacity-building programmes.