The delegation from Parliament of Sri Lanka participated in the meeting on gender equality held during the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva on 23 October 2025. The session, organized under the IPU’s Gender Partnership Programme, brought together representatives from Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, and Zambia to share experiences, best practices, and challenges in advancing gender equality within Parliaments.
Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga, Member of Parliament, addressed the forum and delivered an inspiring speech that highlighted Sri Lanka’s significant strides in increasing women’s political participation following the country's historic transformation in 2024. She emphasized the pivotal role played by women in shaping Sri Lanka’s renewed political landscape and shared insights into the nationwide movement “Gehenu Api Eka Mitata” (We, the Women together), which contributed to a remarkable rise of female representation in Parliament, from approximately 5% to 10% in a single election cycle.
In her statement, the Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga stated: “Sri Lanka’s story is a testament to a simple truth: when women are empowered, the whole nation rises. We are sending a clear message to our daughters, and to the world, that no dream is too big, and no position is out of reach.”
The delegation from Sri Lanka also included the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, whose presence underscored the growing leadership of women within Sri Lanka’s highest legislative institutions.
The IPU commended the contribution of the Sri Lankan delegation and extended its gratitude through an official appreciation letter, recognizing Sri Lanka’s active role in the global effort to promote gender equality, diversity, and accessibility in the Parliaments.
Sri Lanka’s participation in this high-level dialogue reaffirms the nation’s commitment to strengthening gender equality and amplifying women’s voices in legislative processes. The Parliament looks forward to continued collaboration with the IPU and other member states to transform shared commitments into concrete actions for a more inclusive and representative democracy.