The second reading of the Personal Data Protection Bill will be taken up for debate today from 11am to 4.30pm.
Time has also been allocated from 10am to 11am for questions for oral answers.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Parliamentarian Geetha Kumarasinghe revealed that a group of individuals visited her residence and levelled threats demanding fuel.
In a special statement in Parliament yesterday, MP Kumarasinghe said she as a woman was intimidated by four thugs who visited her residence carrying a can demanding diesel.
The opposition says to coincide with the International Women’s Day falling this week, the protection of women’s rights must begin in Parliament.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Parliamentarian Rohini Kumari Wijerathna said it is unfortunate that no action has been taken thus far against the ongoing harassment of female MPs.
MP Wijerathna said workplace harassment is being discussed and policies are being formulated for the International Women’s Day.
She said it is evident from recent incidents that female MPs are being harassed in Parliament.
The Parliamentarian said the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus made a special request during last year’s International Women’s Day to which the Minister of Labour gave assurances that International Labour Organisation Convention 190 will be tabled in Parliament in order to enforce it.
She said however no action has been taken thus far pertaining to the matter. MP Wijerathna said some individuals are intimidated by the Convention fearing legal action for merely looking at a female individual.
She said the Convention ensures the right of everyone, male or female, to a workplace free from violence and harassment adding it sets out a common framework for action to prevent and address violence and harassment in the workplace.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Sudarshana Denipitiya proposed that all hospitals must facilitate spouses of expectant women to witness the birth of their children.
MP Denipitiya said it will also reduce conflicts and will foster mutual unity and love within families.
He said women endure immense pain. The MP said he was fortunate enough to be within the labour room while his spouse was giving birth to their second child.
He said he witnessed the pain during birth and the subsequent happiness of childbirth. MP Denipitiya said a female is an individual who is able to solely bear immense pains.
Joining the debate, MP Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned what course of action had been taken against SLPP backbencher MP Thisakutti Arachchi who used obscene language against a female opposition MP within the Parliament Chamber.
MP Rasamanickam said female MPs who struggle to enter Parliament are being treated in a despicable manner.
He said both government and opposition female Parliamentarians voiced their dismay over MP Thisakutti Arachchi’s comments.
He said it was surprising to see a member of the SLPP proposing such progressive ideas.
On a separate note, MP Rasamanickam praised the recent actions of Hirunika Premachandra who led a protest opposite the residence of the President.
He said police officers were hesitant to obstruct the protest adding however the situation would have been different if female police officers were present during the protest.
