Development Division

Main Functions 

The prime target under the 2015-2030 Sustainable Development Goals is to remove social, economic, and legal barriers providing an opportunity for every woman and child to live in equity without gender discrimination. The State Ministry functions to achieve this objective and acts as the key stakeholder of the government that implements nationally and internationally recognized Conventions and Charters such as the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly held under the theme of “the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls”, 21st Session of Human Rights Council along with recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission, Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No. 34 of 2005 and National Human Rights Action Plan 2017-2021 (NHRAP)

The main functions of the Development Division of the Ministry include coordinating the development activities implemented by all the institutions and divisions under the purview of the Ministry for creating a sensitive society, and implementing, monitoring, and evaluating national level development programmes related to this task. Further, the Development Division launches projects utilizing funds granted by institutions affiliated to the United Nations and other local and foreign government and non-government institutions while promoting coordination between those institutions and the Divisions of the Ministry

Main Development Programs implemented in 2020 

01. Motivating Women to Engage in Eco-tourism and empowering them 

This project is conducted following the concept of “Hela Bojunhala”, and it encourages the sale of products manufactured using local raw materials and food items prepared without harmful flavouring. 

For the purpose, the Ministry planned to construct a Sales Centre to sell the products of ten (10) female entrepreneurs in the Kahatagasdigiliya DS Division in Anuradhapura. 

The first phase of this construction work was commenced last year, and the second phase has already commenced.

02. Information Technology Unit 

The Ministry established the Information Technology Unit to conduct its functions efficiently and effectively and promoting digital literacy.

 The said Unit carries out the following activities to achieve the above objectives.

  Provide internet and email facilities to the officers of the Ministry.

  Create and maintain software systems for the electronic correspondence and electronic communication required for the efficient functioning of the Ministry. '

 Update and maintain the official website, Facebook page, and YouTube Channel of the Ministry. 

 Maintain an internal computer network connecting all the divisions of the Ministry.

  Maintain Lanka Government Network (LGN). 

 Manage and maintain hardware, software, and networking system of the Ministry and prepare technical specifications helping procurement of equipment for IT communication and make recommendations.

  Launch IT training programmes for the staff of the Ministry to raise their computer literacy. 

 Implement the e-governance policy. 

 Update the virus guard software of the Ministry.

  Introduce new technological strategies.

  Launch the “Suhuruliya” programme at the district level in collaboration with the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka for Sri Lankan women generation.

  Print two volumes of the annual magazine “Suhurukatha” to raise IT knowledge of Sri Lankan women.