MINUTES OF THE CORE ADVISORY GROUP (CAG) HELD ON 28TH APRIL 2006 AT SLIDA
AT 3.00 P.M
Present –
Ms. Jezima Ismail
Prof. Swarna Jayaweera
Ms. Seela Ebert
Ms. Ranjini Manuelpillai
Ms. Indrani Iriyagolla
Ms. Indrani Sugathadasa
Ms. Leelangi Wanasundera
Mr. T.M.K.B. Tennakoon
Ms. Amara Peeris
Apologies -
Prof. Uma Coomaraswamy (out of the country)
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Jezima Ismail.
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 1st March was confirmed unanimously.
Diploma Programme
Mr. Tennakoon informed that there are 25 participants who follow the current Diploma
Programme.
As Laurel will be in Sri Lanka the Diploma Award Ceremony to be held on 30th June with Laurel
as the Chief Guest.
Seminar in June
The seminar is confirmed to be held on 16th June and the preparatory meeting will be held on
12th June 2006.
Ideas suggested by Jaya for the seminar was taken for discussion. Everybody agreed to have the
seminar at SLIDA. Seela to cancel Renuka Hotel booking.
The Chief Guest and Guest of Honour to be Hon. Sumedha Jayasena, Minister of Women’s
Empowerment and Child Development and Hon. Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Public
Administration and Home Affairs. Ms. Indrani Sugathadasa to deliver the Key Note speech.
It was agreed to invite the two batches of Diploma participants for the seminar. Additionally
some members of the GROW model villages, GROW partners and the CAG members will be
invited. (12 from the model villages, and 10 CAG members) Other invitees could be from the
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National Committee on Women, Ms. Priyani Wijesekera (Secretary-General of Parliament)*, all
women members of Parliament, Local Government Ministry representatives (Mr. Liyanage if
possible), Election Department representatives, members of leading women NGOs, and
representatives from Ministry of Legal Reform. The resource personnel of the Diploma also to
be invited. It was felt that there should be an adequate number of m ale members participating at
the seminar.
Four women from the four model villages (GROW I) will speak with one woman speaking in
Tamil.

It was decided that Dr. Deb Pierce as the Head of the Programme Division should speak as
the NIU Representative and talk about the University point of view of the GROW III Project.

A panel discussion involving strong women activists to be an agenda item of the programme.
Ms. Indrani Iriyagolla to be the facilitator of this programme and to get some women who
have contested the recently held local government elections to talk of the importance of
women’s participation in the political sphere and the problems faced by them. Some of the
names suggested were Ms. Sunethra Ranasinghe, Mayor of Dehiwela/Mt.Lavinia, Ms. Salma
from Katankudi, Ms. L.P. Malini the group leader of Kurunegala Independent Group, Ms.
Kanthi Kodikara, Chairperson Maharagama U.C. and the member from the Nuwara Eliya
Pradesheeya Sabha (CWC member) who is currently following the Diploma. They can talk
in the language of their choice and the translations to be given. Any other subjects to be
added in consultation with Jaya.
The theme for the seminar to be decided by the CAG members and suggestion to be submitted to
Seela by 10th May.
Mr. Tennakone informed that he will find it difficult to provide space for the network to be
established for political participation of women. He was willing to provide space to conduct the
meetings of the network. Fredrich Ebert Stiftung to be contacted to obtain funds for the purpose
*
It was revealed that Mrs. Priyani Wijesekera in collaboration with the NCW had managed to
establish a women’s caucus comprising of members of Parliament and other women’s activists in
Parliament.
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prior to preparation of the project proposal. UNDP also to be contacted for this purpose. It was
also agreed to have a discussion with Jaya regarding the network when she is in Sri Lanka.
Ms. Ismail informed that the situation at Uthapuram village has not improved as the Leader does
not allow any woman from Uthapuram to get involved in any activity other than with the NGO
she works for. MWRAF is trying to identify another village.
The next CAG meeting will be held on either 25th of 26th May (whichever date is convenient to
Jaya) at 10.30 a.m. at SLIDA
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