From March 21 to 29, 2018, six women ministers from Sri Lanka undertook a one-week study tour in Australia at the invitation of the Government of Australia (GoA). Australia’s Government-sponsored the study tour as part of its overall support to strengthen the role of women in politics in Sri Lanka. The aim of the study tour was to help enable the WPC to achieve the following objectives:
- To learn good practices, interventions and experiences from Australia to be shared among the next level leaders and elected members on their return
- To motivate the participating team to implement strategic advocacy campaigns at the national and provincial level on women issues.
- To establish networks and links with Australian women parliamentarians, academics and activists that would support the cause of the Sri Lankan women
The delegation
- Hon. Chandrani Bandara, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Chairperson of WPC
- Hon. Thalatha Atukorale, Minister of Justice
- Hon. Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, State Minister of City Planning and Water Supply
- Hon. Vijayakala Maheswaran, State Minister of Child Affairs
- Hon. Dr. Anoma Gamage, Deputy Minister of Petroleum Resources Development;
- Hon. Sumedha Jayasena, Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife
