PM TO SET UP CENTRE FORWOMEN HEADED FAMILIES

The Government has taken a decision to establish a National Centre for the Upliftment of the Households headed by women in Kilinochchi, the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement yesterday. It said: “Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe initiated this decision on a request made by the people of the North to establish this centre in their area, since many women who lost their husbands, live in Kilinochchi.

“It is a well known fact that women and children are affected most due to a war.

“In the North alone there are nearly 50,000 families that are headed by women. They are made destitute due to their inability to provide food, accommodation and educational needs to their children.

“The Rs. 35,000 loan provided to them to develop a livelihood is not at all sufficient and it was revealed that the loan was used for the sustenance of their day to day lives. Banks too hesitate to grant them loans. Hence the necessity to provide them more help to generate income for their livelihood.

“Spread of illegal liquor and drugs, domestic violence and subject to sexual violence and abuses are serious problems these women face.

“There is a shortage of women police officers to record complaints and take legal action against the offenders and as a result justice is delayed or not served.

“Prime Minister is of the firm belief that the creation of this National Centre for the Households Headed by Women in Kilinochchi, will lay the foundation to solve the problem that has bothered a segment of the society.

“Based on the report presented by United Nations on families headed by women, Prime Minister has also appointed a committee to make recommendations to uplift the levels of social and economic conditions of such families.

“He has nominated Attorney Ms. Shanthini Abmanasingham as the Chairperson of this Committee.

Ministries of Women Affairs, Policy Planning and Economic Affairs, Children and Youth and Cultural Affairs will jointly provide resources to implement this programme while Rehabilitation Ministry too would provide necessary assistance.”

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe initiated this decision on a request made by the people of the North to establish this centre in their area, since many women who lost their husbands, live in Kilinochchi.