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Committees to nab perverts in Govt. offices
By Chandani Kirinde
Perverts in Government offices beware. Special committees will be set up in state-run institutions shortly to investigate allegations of sexual harassment.
The Committees that will comprise both men and women will be empowered to hold inquiries against accused persons, but the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment will act as the appellant body if such inquiries are not conducted.

A circular containing guidelines on the workings of these committees will be sent to all Ministries, Departments, Boards and public companies within the next few days, Ministry Secretary Indrani Sugathadasa said.

Women’s Empowerment Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena has obtained Cabinet approval to set up the seven-member committees based on recommendations submitted by the Human Rights Commission.

Ms. Sugathadasa said sexual harassment was a major problem in work places in Sri Lanka and a female victim hesitates to make complaints to the male-dominated management.

She said the committee would comprise both women and men and include representatives from the management, employees, and trade unions. Outsiders also could be appointed with the agreement of other members.

The secretary said the minister had appealed to the private sector also to take similar steps. Sri Lanka is a signatory to the UN Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women under which it is obligatory on the state to take appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in work places.

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