Dr. Anila Dias Bandaranaike

Aformer Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Anila Dias Bandaranaike has also served as the monetary authorities’ Director of Statistics and of Bank Supervision.

Before joining the Central Bank in October 2007, she was a postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard University. And following her retirement, she served on the council of the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL).

In a presentation based on a policy brief titled ‘Increasing Women’s Participation in Sri Lanka’s Labour Market: Gender-based discrimination and harassment’ – prepared for the Prime Minister’s Office around a year ago – a panel of eminent socioeconomic commentators, which included Bandaranaike, pointed out that even women who qualify in subjects demanded by employers are less likely to be hired; and when hired, [they] are less likely to be paid as well as men.

Employers are more likely to hire men due to statutory restrictions on the working hours of women in shops and offices, and because females who give birth are entitled to paid maternity leave, the panel noted.

The panel also asserted that women are often aware that they’re likely to be subject to gender discrimination as well as sexual harassment at work – not only in shops, offices or the factory floor but also while travelling to and from work.

Policies that are likely to bring women into the workforce, the panel added, include education reforms that produce a skilled workforce sooner than at present; a safe and convenient public transport system, for both women and children; a policy and legislative environment that supports part-time work, self-employment and working from home, night work and working online; a work environment that protects women from sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination; and the provision of preschool and crèche facilities that lead to quality childcare services.