Special

Gov. Bans Mothers of Young Children from Working Aboard

(BBC) The Sri Lankan government’s proposed regulation banning mothers of young children from migrating abroad for work discriminates against women and endangers the welfare of their children, Human Rights Watch said today.

Published

17 years ago

March 15, 2007

NIDAHASA

According to the proposal woman with children less than 5 years of age would be banned from emigrating to work. The mothers with children aged 5 or older has to obtain an approval from a government committee after submitting proof that they can provide child minders for their children.

“This policy blatantly discriminates against women and threatens the well-being of their children,” said LaShawn Jefferson, director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch.

“We are not imposing a ban but encouraging to think mothers to consider the wellbeing of their young children before they migrate to work” Sumedha Jayasena, Minister of of Women Affairs and Child Welfare said.

If the Sri Lankan government is genuinely committed to improving the well-being of migrant workers’ children, it should set up social-service programs to identify and address those needs

LaShawn Jefferson

Speaking to BBC Sandeshaya, minister said, “it is important to note that young children must be looked after by their own mothers as no one else can provide the love and care to their children”.

Human Rights Watch argues that this regulation would prevent many mothers from supporting their children by banning them from the only form of work they can find.

“If the Sri Lankan government is genuinely committed to improving the well-being of migrant workers’ children, it should set up social-service programs to identify and address those needs,” pointed out Jefferson.

“Stopping mothers from earning a living abroad will not result in improved care for their children back home”, she added.

Minister Sumedha Jayasena
Minister of of Women Affairs and Child Welfare

Responding to the issues raised by the Human Rights Watch, minister Jayasena said, “mother are going to bring prosperity to their family but if that action caused her family to fall apart, mother should think twice”.

“Many women can oppose to these regulations but we have to strike the balance with the wellbeing of their children and family” Minister added.

When asked about the plight of the teenage children, the minister said, “there is the issue of young children being sexually abused and facing other hardships. We are looking in to a way of assuring their welfare as well”.

Human Rights Watch called on the Sri Lankan government to withdraw the regulation, which has not yet been implemented.

More than 660,000 Sri Lankan women are working as domestic workers abroad.

Minister said that she had in formation of 36 women in prisons of Saudi Arabia. “Even we can’t do anything to help them. I can’t do much in my capacity!”. She said.

Earlier this year, four Srilankan men were beheaded by the Saudi authorities. There were many appeals to the government of Sri Lanka to intervene to prevent the punishment.

To support themselves and their families, many Sri Lankan women migrate to the Middle East on temporary contracts as domestic workers.

Special

President orders investigations into Daham’s nightclub scandal

(NIDAHASA News) President Maithiripala Sirisena call for an investigation into the Colombo nightclub attack allegedly carried out by his own son.

Published

8 years ago

October 10, 2016

NIDAHASA

(NIDAHASA News) President Maithiripala Sirisena call for an investigation into the Colombo nightclub attack allegedly carried out by his own son.

A group allegedly led by Sirisena’s son Daham attacked Clique nightclub at Town Hall, Colombo last Friday (07), allegedly after they were denied entry to the nightclub around 2.00 am. A security guard was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following the attack with head injuries.
However, speaking to Sri Lanka Mirror web site, police denied any connection of President’s son to the incident.
“He had arrived there around 7.00 pm, and it was a long time later that the clash took place,” Sri Lanka Mirror quoted the police.
In 2013, during the time his father was a minister, Daham Sirisena was accused of attacking a youth at Passikudah beach.

Special

Severe weather: over 200 families missing

(NIDAHASA News) Over 200 families missing after a massive landslide in Aranayaka, in Kegalla district.

Published

8 years ago

May 18, 2016

NIDAHASA

(NIDAHASA News) Over 200 families missing after a massive landslide in Aranayaka, in Kegalla district.

“16 bodies have already been recovered and about 180 people have been rescued,” said military spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera.

“The task is to figure out what happened to them,” the Red Cross said in a statement, noting that some people may have left after local officials warned earlier this week of possible landslides.

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) reported over 350,000 people were affected by floods and landslides caused by massive rains.

Meanwhile warning has been issued to several suburbs areas of capital Colombo due to the increasing water level or Kelani river. People living in Wellampitiya, Megoda Kolonnawa, Sedawatte, Kohilawatte and surrounding areas have been asked to move to a safe place.

The depression, named BOB 01 is currently moving towards South India; however rain will continue for several areas in Sri Lanka until the end of this week, weather specialists say.

Special

Sri Lanka's firebrand Buddhist monk arrested

(NIDAHASA News) Supporters of Galagodaatte Gnansara started a violent protest in front of Homagama court after magistrate ordered to remand infamous Buddhist monk till 09th February.

Published

8 years ago

January 26, 2016

NIDAHASA

(NIDAHASA News) Supporters of Galagodaatte Gnansara started a violent protest in front of Homagama court after magistrate ordered to remand infamous Buddhist monk till 09th February.

The General Secretary of extreme Buddhist movement Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) surrendered to the court this morning (26) after magistrate ordered police to arrest the for alleged contempt of court. He was accused of making an argument with the judge during the court hearing of disappeared journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda's habeas corpus.

Gnanasara has alleged that arresting the Army officers over Ekneligoda's disappearance was illegal and the prosecution should be arrested for “illegal arrests” of military officers. The counsel representing the missing journalist's family informed the court that the monk has also threatened the journalist's wife Sandhya.

Protesters, including a group of monks attempted to enter the court premises challenging the court's order to arrest their General Secretary and tried to block the prison vehicle. Police however managed to take Gnanasara to the remand prison with the support of extra police team.

Gnanasara and his BBS had been accused of inflaming religious tension between Majority Buddhists and Muslims. They were also accused of being a cat's paw of previous Rajapaksa regime. However BBS denied any secret relationship with Rajapaksa brothers.