2. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION HELD IN THE HEAD OFFICE - INCEPTIVE VIEWS The main programme pertaining to International Women’s Day was organized by the Head Office the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and held in the Bandaranayaka International Studies Centre in the premises of Bandaranayaka Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo 07 with Hon.Chandrika Bandaranayaka Kumarathunga, the ex. President of Sri Lanka as the Chief Guest. A wide women’s participation representing various vocations was witnessed on this occasion. Participation of women who are engaged in informal economic fields and those who are engaged in similar vocations was ensured and discussions were held on constraints and challenges faced by them. This Round Table Conference was held with the participation of various state institutions such as Ministries, Departments and Corporations and Representatives of state and private sector banks, academics, ambassadors and Embassy representatives, representatives of United Nations Agencies and representatives of non-governmental organizations. Dr.Mrs. Deepika Udagama, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka welcoming the participants at the International Women’s Day Programme, presented the introduction of the Programme. It was emphasized by her in her speech that everybody’s right to a dignified life as shareholders of the humanity should be protected and preserved. Today, we come across in the society a majority of women who are providing labour outside their homes. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka which shared views of rural women leaders on the previous occasion of International Women’s Day, has arranged on this occasion to share the views of pertaining to day to day constraints, challenges as well as achievements of those who represent the informal economic fields which immensely contribute towards the economy of the country. It was emphasized that primary objective of this exercise is to divert the attention of the policy makers towards these factors. She said that present day Sri Lankan women are living between two worlds. Some women who make great achievements in some sectors continue to live in other sectors beleaguered by various traditions. Extra-ordinary achievements in educational sector have been realized by women. Similarly, Sri Lanka is in the fore-front where the maternity health is concerned. However, the woman who accomplishes higher-education seems to be vanishing from the general life, especially from the labour force. Even though the women’s contribution towards labour force is around 35%, according to the Statistics-2012, around 60% of University students are women. Therefore, since their contribution towards economy and the Development process of the country is ambiguous, they have been subjected to under-estimation. 3 3