The Kegalle District Program to develop sensitivity and responsiveness among Police OICs in dealing with incidents of violence against women was held yesterday (09) at the Ambasewana Hotel premises in Kegalle throughout the day, under the full guidance and resources of the National Women's Committee of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Social Empowerment.

A toll-free women's helpline number, 1938, is in operation under the National Women's Committee. It receives complaints about women 24 hours a day and works to resolve those problems in coordination with the police, the Ministry's Children's and Women's Units. The aim of this program was to streamline coordination between service providers and further develop sensitivity.

After welcoming everyone by Kegalle District Secretary/Government Agent Ranjana Jayasinghe, the program was introduced by Mrs. N. Hemakumari of the National Women's Committee. Subsequently, the participants of the program were identified and a lecture on the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act was delivered by Mrs. H.C.D. de Zoysa, Legal Officer of the National Women's Committee.

Lawyer Sithira Waidyeskara explained the role of women, the law and the police, while the lecture on the role of police officers in violence against women and children was given by Ms. Nirosha Mullengoda, the female Chief Inspector of the Kegalle Divisional Children and Women's Bureau.

In conjunction with this event, issues related to addressing violence against women were also discussed.

The program was organized by the District Women's Development Officer, Ms. Manori Dehimaduwa, and the Division.

The event was attended by a group of police officers, including the OICs of the Divisional Women and Children's Units, OICs of various complaints departments, OICs of the Police Women and Children's Bureau, women development officers and field assistants, advisory officers and advisory assistant officers, and officials of the National Women's Committee.