Fresh petition to challenge gender-bias, alcohol law against women
Petitioners of a case filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging a decision to revoke an order to allow women to be employed in places of the production and sale of alcohol, were preparing to file a fresh petition tomorrow.
This came after the Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera on Thursday issued the gazette notification nullifying his earlier January 10 order permitting women to work in places where liquor is produced or served, and also be able to purchase liqu0r.
Last Wednesday’s petition by a group of 11 rights activists cum veteran professionals had sought an interim order barring the minister from issuing the said revocation gazette until the petition was heard.
Sources close to the petitioners said they were planning to file a fresh petition seeking a court ruling against the 1979 law on the grounds of discrimination and gender bias.
The earlier petition also noted that “an imposition of a prohibition applicable to members of only one gender would tantamount to an unequal treatment of the members of such gender.”
The petitioners were Ms. Nishanthi Bandaranayake, M.D.J.B. Fernando, Samanalee Fonseka, Chandima Ravini Jinadasa, Deepanjalie Abeywardana, Sab r i n a Esufally, Sharanya Sekaram, Randhula de Silva, Meneka Galgamuwa, Sujatha Gamage and Vi s a k h a Perera Tillekeratne.
The Government had said the gazette revoking permission, only granted a few days ago by the Finance Minister, for women to be employed in a pub or place of production and also to sell alcohol ( like what men are entitled to), will be issued after the return of Minister Mangala Samaraweera from an overseas visit. On Thursday the Minister issued this gazette.
Last week the Minister issued two gazettes, one undoing an archaic law which barred women from purchasing liquor and also selling it, and the sec- ond – to extend the opening hours in liquor shops, pubs and restaurants. On Sunday, the President ordered both these new rules to be revoked.
The Minister, the Treasury Secretary and the Attorney General were been cited as respondents in the earlier petition. The petitioners state that this prohibition was a draconian measure that was arbitrary, irrational, unreasonable and discriminatory to female citizens of the Republic.
“The petitioners state that the above circumstances gives rise to a reasonable apprehension regarding an imminent infringement of the petitioners’ right to equality and equal protection of the law guaranteed to them by Article 12 (1) of the Constitution. The petitioners state that the above circumstances gives rise to a reasonable apprehension regarding an imminent infringement of the Petitioners’ right not to be discriminated against on the grounds of their sex guaranteed to them by Article 12(2) of the Constitution,” the petition had noted.
Hemas Holdings PLC has acquired 75.1 per cent of Atlas Axillia Co (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka’s leading school and office brand, for a consideration of Rs. 5.7 billion. The existing shareholders of Atlas will retain a stake of 24.9 per cent in the company post-acquisition, Hemas said in a media release.
Nirmal Madanayake, Managing Director of Atlas Axillia Co. said, “Atlas Axillia is on a great journey of growth and we were keen to take our organisation to the next level. We went through a rigorous process to find the right partner, and we saw a great business and cultural fit with Hemas. Both our organisations have a rich history of bringing loved brands to Sri Lankan homes and have served the Sri Lankan consumer with high quality, affordable and innovative products. I am deeply proud of the Atlas journey over the past 58 years and of the place that this brand holds in Sri Lankan consumers’ hearts. As we embark on the next phase of growth, we are delighted to have a high quality partner with similar values.”
Steven Enderby, Group CEO of Hemas Holdings PLC, said the group is expanding its presence in the Sri Lankan consumer market by acquiring one of the most respected local brands with market leading positions for its notebooks, pens, pencils and colour products.
Atlas will become the third largest business in the Hemas Group and will operate independently as a subsidiary of Hemas Holdings PLC. Hemas said it aims to continue to drive Atlas’ excellent track record of sales growth; and strengthen its market leading position, highly effective lean manufacturing and enviable dividend track record. “The group will cross- fertilise brand and marketing insights between the business and its Home and Personal care portfolio as well as deliver route to market excellence through our two significant island wide sales and distribution networks. In addition, Hemas will look to reduce funding costs and enhance talent attraction and development at Atlas,” the release added.
Atlas Axillia Co., formerly known as Ceylon Pencil Company ( Pvt) Ltd. was founded in 1959 by the Madanayake family. The company is the market leader in school stationery and notebooks, pens, pencils and colour products, with products retailed in over 70,000 outlets across Sri Lanka.