📈 Historic First: Lankan Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus Visits India to Strengthen Ties

A 19-member delegation from the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka concluded a historic, first-ever official visit to India from May 10–16, aiming to deepen parliamentary cooperation and advance women-led development. • Delegation Details: Led by Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, the delegation included 15 Members of Parliament and 4 parliamentary officials, including the Secretary General. • Key Bilateral Meetings: Held high-level discussions with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, India’s Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The visit stems from the joint vision of PM Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. • Governance & Knowledge Exchange: The delegation studied India’s models for gender budgeting, legislative processes, maternal and child welfare, and care economy initiatives. They also explored the role of Digital ID in service delivery during a visit to the UIDAI. • Economic & Community Insights: Interacted with Delhi Police, Anganwadi workers, and Women Self-Help Groups. The FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) hosted a roundtable focusing on women as drivers of economic growth and innovation—critical areas for boosting employment and diversification in Sri Lanka's service and governance sectors.