There was a recent report that a women’s rights organization had written a letter to the Speaker of the Parliament condemning the use of vulgar and sexist language uttered by ministers and parliamentarians against the Chief Justice, which in fact is tantamount to sexual harassment.
In fact, the Chief Justice is not the only victim of such degenerative sexism. The electronic and print media is full of reports of vulgar and sexist statements made against women parliamentarians and activists by the politicians. It was just recently that Minister Kumar Welgama made sexist comments on UNP MP and former Mrs. World, Rosie Senanayake inside the august assembly itself. Minister Mervyn Silva, who has been conferred with a ministry called “Public Relations” continues to use vulgar language – both inside and outside the parliament – against the Chief Justice. In fact, this particular minister, during a televised talent show made very dirty remarks against a female contestant referring to her anatomy suggestive of the act of “suckling” – this contestant also being a member of parliament. These remarks were seen live by many viewers, including children. One can just imagine what examples such ministers are giving to the public as to their upbringing. Wimal Weerawansa is another minister who, during the PSC sittings, used derogatory remarks such as “mad woman” and other sexual innuendo against the CJ.
Media is full of reports of local UPFA politicians who sexually assault young and minor girls and go scot free using their political clout. In fact, one such local government politician even celebrated a “century” of rapes as if it is a world record. Even foreign women had not been spared as in what happened in Tangalle where a local UPFA politician not only murdered her partner but also subjected the lady to gang rape.
In neighbouring India, a politician is reported to have said that rape is just like bad weather and since one cannot do much about it, the best thing is to relax and en joy while it lasts!. From the way things are going, our politicians too seem to be trying to emulate that Indian politician or even trying to do better.
Sadly, in this country, the age of chivalry is a relic of the past.
In fact, the Chief Justice is not the only victim of such degenerative sexism. The electronic and print media is full of reports of vulgar and sexist statements made against women parliamentarians and activists by the politicians. It was just recently that Minister Kumar Welgama made sexist comments on UNP MP and former Mrs. World, Rosie Senanayake inside the august assembly itself. Minister Mervyn Silva, who has been conferred with a ministry called “Public Relations” continues to use vulgar language – both inside and outside the parliament – against the Chief Justice. In fact, this particular minister, during a televised talent show made very dirty remarks against a female contestant referring to her anatomy suggestive of the act of “suckling” – this contestant also being a member of parliament. These remarks were seen live by many viewers, including children. One can just imagine what examples such ministers are giving to the public as to their upbringing. Wimal Weerawansa is another minister who, during the PSC sittings, used derogatory remarks such as “mad woman” and other sexual innuendo against the CJ.
Media is full of reports of local UPFA politicians who sexually assault young and minor girls and go scot free using their political clout. In fact, one such local government politician even celebrated a “century” of rapes as if it is a world record. Even foreign women had not been spared as in what happened in Tangalle where a local UPFA politician not only murdered her partner but also subjected the lady to gang rape.
In neighbouring India, a politician is reported to have said that rape is just like bad weather and since one cannot do much about it, the best thing is to relax and en joy while it lasts!. From the way things are going, our politicians too seem to be trying to emulate that Indian politician or even trying to do better.
Sadly, in this country, the age of chivalry is a relic of the past.
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