Jeewan Thonda’s remarks on women spark off protest

By Ranjith Rajapaksa - Hatton  

Several organisations representing female workers in the hill country staged a demonstration at the Malliappuwa Junction in Hatton yesterday against an offending statement said to have been made by Estate Housing and Community Infrastructure Facilities State Minister Jeevan Thondaman.   

According to the protestors, Minister Jeevan Thondaman had made a remark insulting women at a meeting held at the Kotagala Ceylon Workers’ Congress office to inform its members about the increase of estates workers’ wage to Rs.1000. The protesters said that a recording of the Minister’s speech in which he had claimed that he was responsible for the increase of wages without receiving any external help and had made an offensive remark on a woman which had been posted on the Social Media.   

“He should withdraw his statement forthwith and all the Sri Lankan women should condemn his remarks,” they added.   

Several youth organisations of the hill country  too had  participated in the protest that was closely monitored by the Police.   

• He should withdraw his statement forthwith and all the Sri Lankan women should condemn his remarks