The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women Celebration of International Women’s Day 2023

The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women (SLFUW), under its President Colonel Dr. Udula Krishnaratne, celebrated International Women’s Day on Saturday, 4th March, at its Headquarters in Kitulwatte Road, Colombo. The Chief Guest was the illustrious Professor Emeritus Jennifer Perera, famed Microbiologist and former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, who addressed the gathering on ‘ The importance of Women’s Health in Economic Development. Professor Emeritus Takshala Serasinghe, the keynote Speaker, spoke on ‘DigitAll:Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’.

In her welcome address, giving an overview of its history, Dr. Krishnaratne said that it was set up as a non-political, non-governmental charitable body in 1941, even before the University was established. She paid tribute to the dedicated ladies who contributed to its development. Foremost among them was its Founder President Mrs. Clara Motwani, a young American with a Master’s Degree in Education, and her group of friends, which included Ms. Hilda Kularatne, Ms. Doreen Wickramasinghe, and Ms. Susan George Pulimood. Their foresight and commitment led to the expansion of educational opportunities for the girl child, a primary need of the time.

SLFUW Meetings were held in their homes initially, but in 1996, Professor Lorna Devaraja and Ms. Manel Abeysekara were able to obtain a block of land in Kitulwatte Road, Colombo, from the UDA. Finally, overcoming many difficulties the SLFUW was able to move into its own premises in 2006.

The program included the felicitation of two Past Presidents who were present, Professor Nayani Melagoda and Ms. Seela Ebert, for their leadership and service. Five scholarships were presented to University students from underprivileged areas. The President also thanked Ms. Indra Puvimanasingham a former SLFUW President, for a donation of educational equipment from a well-wisher in America. It was handed over to Ananda Samarakoon Vidyalaya in Wewala, attended primarily by underprivileged children.

A noteworthy feature of the event was the participation of members of the Visually Impaired Women’s Federation, with its President Ms. Violet Yakandawala, who had obtained her University Degree at a time when even Braille facilities were not available. She revealed the startling fact that the first persons to discriminate against the visually impaired were the family members themselves. Visually impaired children were considered an embarrassment to the family, and kept in hiding, out of sight of society.

The celebration was well-attended and well-organized, with dance items by the Sri Lanka Army Dance Troupe, and a song movingly rendered by a second-year law student at the University of Colombo.The General Secretary, Anjali Gamage offered her thanks to all those who helped the SLFUW in many ways including the Sponsors of the event, and the Council Members who did all the behind-the scenes-preparatory work for the celebrations.

The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women is the foremost organization of educated women in Sri Lanka engaged in community service work. During the past 82 years, it has made an immense contribution to the welfare of women and children in particular, and to the community at large in general. The people of Sri Lanka are facing extremely difficult times at present, and we wish that, under its aegis, the women of Sri Lanka will be able to help our motherland forge ahead in socio-economic and cultural development.