4. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA Following primary recommendations are issued by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka by virtue of the powers vested as per Section 10 and 11 of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act No. 21 of 1996. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka shall monitor the implementation of these recommendations and in case of any infringement of these recommendations, the aggrieved parties may lodge complaints with regard to such infringement and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has the authority, as per Section 14 of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act, to investigate on its own into the complaints lodged with regard to such infringements. Following recommendations are made taking into consideration the discriminations committed against the women, in order to eradicate them. These recommendations are based on Article 12(2)1 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Article I2 of International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminations against Women (CEDAW). 1. Steps taken at every time to ensure the participation of women representing specific fields when making policy decisions and when compiling policies relevant to women. Supervision to ensure that these steps are taken by the relevant state institution should be carried out by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. Provincial Ministries of Women’s Affairs should monitor whether these recommendations are implemented by the local government institutions. 2. Taking policy decisions to grant credit facilities without any discrimination to agricultural areas and women who are engaged in informal economic sectors. Here, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and Financial Institutions including Lending State Banks and Private Sector Banks should take action to compile a National Credit Policy to grant loans to women without any discrimination; ensure participation of women’s representation in the process of compiling a National Credit Policy; creation of awareness on the proper credit management; and regulation of micro credit schemes and such lending institutions. No citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex, political opinion, place of birth or any one of such grounds 1 For the purposes of the present Convention, the term "discrimination against women" shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. 2 30 30