Over eight hundred women representing a wide cross section of women's organizations in the central province attended the International Women's Day celebration organized recently by the Central Province Women's Chamber of Small Industries and Commerce at the Post office Auditorium, Kandy. The theme for this year's event was “Role of women in integration and harmony between all ethnic groups for a better Sri Lanka.”

The Governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbakaduwa, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka, CP Minister of Industries V. Radhakrishnan, Assistant High Commissioner for India R K Misra, Executive Director of the National Peace Council Dr. Jehan Perera, Secretary General of the Business for Peace Alliance Manique Mendis, senior government officials, senior executives from leading companies in Kandy and leaders of trade chambers and trade associations were among the special invitees who attended the colourful event.

The National Peace Council supported by the Business for Peace Alliance sponsored the event under the Council's Understanding and Promoting Pluralism Programme.

The president of the Women's Chamber Mrs. Shirley Jayawardane said in her welcome address that the main objective of the event this year was to bring women from all ethnic groups together to build harmony between all groups. We are one community and one nation. Sharing our experience at an event such as this would help increase inter-ethnic understanding and build ethnic harmony she added.

Fifteen members of the Women's Chamber were recognized for bringing credit to the Chamber by producing outstanding results in their businesses. The founder president Muriel Nilaweera and past presidents Niranjala Jayaratna and Rosita Samarajeewa were felicitated for their contribution to the development of the Chamber. Secretary to the Central Province Ministry of Industries Mrs. Shirani Weerakoon and the head of the Women's Development Centre Mrs. Pearle Steven were felicitated for the outstanding services they have rendered for the advancement of women in the province. The Muslim Women's Association was recognized for the services it has rendered for the cause of Muslim women.

Governor Kobbakaduwa who was the chief guest in his key note address recalled that the history of Kandy records women of the stature of Ehelepola Kumarihamy. Today we see women of courage and strength playing leadership roles in many institutions in the province. But he noted that women were not adequately represented in elected office and that gap needs to be rectified. He promised to secure office space in Gannoruwa for the Women's Chamber to have a permanent office.

The Executive Director of the National Peace Council Jehan Perera addressing the gathering noted that even if the war ends violence in society will not. He cited domestic violence against women as an example. We have to continue our work to build a peaceful society by promoting dialogue between the different ethnic groups and communities. It is also essential to have good governance and protect human rights Mr. Perera said.

Ms Manique Mendis, Secretary General, Business for Peace Alliance pointed out that regional women entrepreneurs have to face many common challenges and grapple with many common issues irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, class or geographic location. She stressed the need for women to work together and collaborate in their journey on the path to progress. She added that BPA was committed to build bridges to link members of the regional business community and others from the regions who are marginalized to foster national unity and take greater strides in national development.

Following the success of the International Women's Day event, the Central Province Women's Chamber plans to organize a series of follow up events and activities to promote ethnic harmony and links between women entrepreneurs to develop their entrepreneurial skills and to empower them.

The organizing committee for the Women's Day Celebration was chaired by Mona Chondon (Secretary of the Chamber). The other members were Corrina Sansoni, Swashini Hewapathirena, Kumuduni Weerasekera, Dilhani Ranasinghe Arachchi, Damayanthi Maddegoda, Rosita Samarajeewa, Malini Ariyaratna, Janaki Piyasinghe, Namali Wadasinghe, Ayesza Rizvi, Subodini Maduwanthi, Padmini Mallawaarachchi, Pushpa de Mel, Sumathi Gunasekeram and Devika Widanapathirana (all members of the Chamber Board), Soori Samarajeewa ( CEO) Sunil Sayakkara (Business Development Manager), Rangika Seneviratna (Accounts Assistant) and Nihal Wawege (Office Assistant).