Sri Lanka, Feb. 16 -- Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that no one will be allowed to drag the country's future backward by inciting racism, and emphasized that women must step forward to carry forward the change that has been initiated.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the Mannar District Women's Meeting held on the 15 February in the Adampan area of the Mannar District, according to the Prime Minister's Media Division.

Speaking further, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

"You know that our government has brought about a change in women's representation. According to statistics, about 52% of the population are women. That means women constitute a powerful segment of our country's population...