📢 Sajith Calls for Zero Tax on Sanitary Products to End Period Poverty

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for a comprehensive national policy on menstrual equity, framing period poverty as a multisectoral crisis severely impacting Sri Lanka's economy, public health, and education. Key Economic & Social Data: • Menstrual Access Gap: Nearly 70% of Sri Lanka’s 4.2 million menstruating individuals lack reliable access to disposable hygiene products. • Education Impact: An estimated 50% to 60% of schoolgirls miss classes during their cycles due to social pressures and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. • Labor Force & Productivity: Menstrual health challenges and poor workplace facilities suppress productivity—particularly in key sectors like apparel & textiles—contributing to Sri Lanka's low female labor force participation rate of around 35%. • Healthcare Barrier: Stigma prevents 87.4% of women experiencing severe menstrual health issues from seeking clinical medical care (only 12.6% seek care). Policy & Taxation Proposals: • The Taxation Paradox: Despite a Rs. 1.44 Bn government allocation to provide sanitary napkins to schoolgirls, these products remain heavily burdened by General Duty, VAT, PAL, CESS, and SSCL. • Proposed Solutions: Immediate removal of taxes on menstrual products, supporting domestic manufacturing of affordable options, and exploring the "Scotland Model" to provide free hygiene products.