The International Women's Day celebration of the year 2023 of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement was held on Monday, March 20, 2023, at Hikkaduwa Lions Club Hall in Galle District, based on the theme of empowering women through the conquest of the land, food and environmental justice.
The Secretary of the Southern Province Governor, Mr. Shanta Weerasinghe, the Galle District Secretary, Rathgama Divisional Secretary, Mr. Harman Kumara, the National Convener of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement, Mr. Pradeep Wanigasuriya, the Administrative Secretary, and the staff of the NAFSO participated in this event. More than 350 people from district organizations such as Negombo, Kalutara Matara, Kurunegala, Batticaloa, Mannar, Ampara Mullathivu Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee participated in this function.
After performing the religious rituals, the coconut oil lamp was lit. Ms. Nadika Jayamali of Galle, Southern Fisheries Organization welcomed the ceremony. Also, the welcome dance was performed by the Galle South Fishermen's Organization. The purpose of the entire program was explained by Mrs. Lavina Hasanti, the women's coordinator of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement.
Mrs. Surangi Vasana, the representative of the Women's Committee of Fishermen's Organization in Matara District South, expressed her views on the problems faced by women today socially, economically, culturally and politically. Mrs. Neranjan Parmila, the Chairperson of Kilinochchi District Women's Committee, expressed her views on the main problems faced by the women involved in food production, who were displaced in the Northern and Eastern Provinces due to the war. Five people selected from the gardening groups were shown the evaluation videos. Special guest Rathgama Divisional Secretary's comments were made. Mr. Harman Kumara, National Convener of the National Fishery Cooperation Movement, on empowering women to ensure the social, economic, cultural and political rights of women engaged in food production.
Under the appreciation of women, two women from marginal families selected in the village donated an amount of aid to an organization for the medicine they needed and a vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Nelumka Veerakkodi, president of the Galle South Fisheries Solidarity Movement.
