MINUTES OF THE CORE ADVISORY GROUP (CAG)
HELD ON 1st MARCH 2006 AT SLIDA
Present
Ms. Jezima Ismail
Prof Swarna Jayaweera
Ms. Seela Ebert
Ms. Ranjini Manuelpillai
Ms. Indrani Iriyagolla
Mr. T.M.K.B. Tennakoon
Ms. Amara Peiris
Prof Uma Coomaraswamy
Apologies
Ms. Leelangi Wanasundera
Ms. Indrani Sugathadasa (out of the island)
Ms. Jezima Ismail chaired the meeting.
1. Confirmation of the Minutes
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 13th February 2006 was confirmed
unanimously and adopted.
2. Matters arising out of the Minutes
i. Present Status of New Diploma
Amara has given the name of I.V. de Silva, Jezima has given the name of
Gayathri Wijetunga to join the Diploma. To check with Mr. Herath whether
these participants had been admitted to the new programme.
The modules of the Diploma programme to be given to the next CAG meeting
by Mr. Herath. (Mr. Tennakoon to get the modules)
ii. Jaya’s email dated 10th February 2006
This was circulated among the CAG members. The members have blocked the
two days as mentioned by Jaya for the preparatory talk and to conduct the
workshop. The CAG members would like to know what the exact progrmme is
to be on the 12th and 16th June.
Indrani Iriyagolla promised to collect statistics on the local government level
participation of women candidates of the elections to be held on 30th March
2006. If possible to collect background information on obstructions, thuggery,
funds problems and family support.
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It was discussed that some are trained and others not on political participation.
A basic knowledge to be imparted to those who are not trained. A tool for
women to get votes will be for them to go into social interaction to draw the
villages. The model village is a good step towards the social interventions.
The women do not get any assistance unless an NGO intervenes.
To overcome all these barriers one solution would be to establish a training
institution (single organization) is formed for women’s political participation.
SLIDA promised to find a space free of charge. Fredrick Ebert Stiftung to be
contacted to obtain additional funds for this purpose.
3. Local Government Nominations
Indrani Iriyagolla mentioned that only 9 women candidates from the UNP have been
given nominations at the Local Government elections for the whole country. It was
also mentioned that all parties have not given nominations more than 10% for women
candidates for the Local Government elections that is planned. Jezima wanted the
local government statistics to be collected. When collecting the statistics the
necessity of finding out the background information was also emphasized. The
women do not usually get assistance to come into politics unless an NGO is behind
them to push them in. It was discussed to have one single organization to give the
full gamut of training. This organization will be able to network with all the NGOs as
an apex body. This will be a structure to institutionalize a specific group of women is
the need of the hour.
The apex body will be a network of all interested organizations to be formed to
encourage women into governance.
A letter to be sent to Jaya spelling out the general thinking of the CAG members to
obtain her views on this matter.
The matter on the NGO Coalition to be discussed when Jaya is in Sri Lanka.
The women already in the Parliament are not interested in the subject and different
methods to address the issue were then discussed. An NGO link with the Political
Party structure was one important idea to work on.
As Uma is going to relinquish her post as Vice Chancellor of the Open University of
Sri Lanka to check with NIU her position in CAG. (in her personal capacity or as
VC)
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4. Any other business
To inform Jaya that Jezima is agreeable to conduct the evaluation with Mrs. Kay
Forest.
The next meeting will be held on 10th April at 3 p.m. at SLIDA.
Seela
5th April 2006
Please note that the next CAG meeting will be held on the 28th of April at 3 p.m. at
SLIDA. Due to the Sinhala /Tamil New Year holidays the date had to be postponed.
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