Panel Discussion with Female Candidates contesting in Provincial Elections in the Southern Province

The Savisthri  Women’ Collective of the Matara District organized this activity on 23.03.2014 with the female candidates representing various political parties in the Provincial Elections scheduled to be held on the 29^th March 2014. The discussion focused on the problems related to their economy and livelihoods encountered by the women in Devinuwara and Gandara areas.

The candidates, Anarkalee Akarsha of the governing United People’s Freedom Alliance, Sujeeva Damayanthi and Nadeesha Hemamali of the United National Party and Jeevanie Champika of the Democratic Party had been invited for this discussion. All of them other than Ms. Anarkalee  attended. They expressed their views and responded to the issues raised by the participants.

Around 350 women including the Savisthri members in the Matara District and those in the other organizations participated in this activity. They made election candidates aware about various problems encountered by them (especially fisher women) and requested to explain the policies of respective political parties pertaining to issues brought to light.  

It was decided to presume this dialogue pertaining to views and concerns  expressed by the candidates  after the elections in order to find solutions agreeable by the participants.