A high-ranking all-woman delegation from Sri Lanka recently participated in a five-day visit to Germany, under the Guest Programme, which focused on women’s rights, reconciliation, and the culture of remembrance, a media release from the German Embassy in Colombo said.
The delegation was led by Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Athukorale included Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake, Human Rights Commission Chairperson Dr. Deepika Udagama and Commissioner Ambika Satkunanathan, OMP Commissioner Dr. Nimalka Fernando, Centre for Equality and Justice Executive Director Shyamala Gomez, human rights activist Shreen Saroor from Mannar Women’s Development Federation (MWDF) and Sunday Observer Editor Dharisha Bastians.
During their visit to Germany, the Sri Lankan delegation met the Vice President of the German Parliament (Bundestag) Thomas Oppermann as well German women MPs from different political parties.
The discussions with the MPs focused on ways to increase female representation, among other topics. The group visited also the Ostholfen Concentration Camp Memorial which is now operated by the Regional Centre for Civic Education of Rhineland-Palatinate and held discussions with the head of the Centre, Bernhard Kukatzki and Director of the Memorial, Uwe Bader on reconciliation and the culture of remembrance.
The delegation also held talks with Dr Lars Brocker, President of the Constitutional Court of Rhineland-Palatinate and Vice President Dr Dagmar Wünsch when they visited the Constitutional Court.
(Daily News)