Staff Report / New Delhi
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said India and Sri Lanka are connected through deep-rooted civilisational, cultural and spiritual ties that have evolved over centuries, asserting that the shared Buddhist heritage of the two neighbours continues to strengthen bilateral relations.
The Lok Sabha Speaker made the remarks during an interaction with the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka at Parliament House in New Delhi. The delegation was led by Saroja Savithri Paulraj.
Highlighting the growing engagement between the legislatures of the two countries, Birla recalled his recent interaction with a Sri Lankan parliamentary delegation headed by S.M. Marikkar, Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Issues. He said regular parliamentary exchanges and sustained dialogue have imparted fresh momentum to India–Sri Lanka inter-parliamentary cooperation and enhanced mutual understanding.
Emphasising the expanding role of women in India’s democratic and governance structures, Birla said women are now active participants in every sphere of nation-building, ranging from electoral politics to policymaking and leadership positions. He observed that India’s development approach has shifted from “women’s development” to “women-led development,” a vision strongly advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Referring to recent legislative reforms, Birla noted that the first law passed in the newly inaugurated Parliament building was the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. He described the legislation as a landmark measure that would strengthen women’s participation in the country’s legislative processes and mark a transformative phase in Indian democracy.
The Speaker also underlined the strong grassroots foundation of Indian democracy, noting that several states have implemented 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies. As a result, over 1.4 million elected women representatives are currently contributing to governance and community development across India.
On women’s economic empowerment, Birla highlighted the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in enabling financial independence among women, especially in rural India. He cited initiatives such as the Lakhpati Didi scheme as important drivers of women-led entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.
Speaking on the occasion, Paulraj thanked India for the warm hospitality extended to the Sri Lankan delegation. She said the visit offered valuable insights into India’s transformative initiatives in areas such as SHGs, digital commerce and women-led enterprises.
The Sri Lankan minister also expressed gratitude to the Government of India for its continued support to Sri Lanka during difficult periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters such as Cyclone Ditwa.