Sri Lanka, March 9 -- Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa said a society that fails to respect mothers and women cannot build genuine love and respect for the motherland.

Addressing the SLPP Women's Day celebration held yesterday (8) in Matale to mark International Women's Day, Rajapaksa said the country had been built on the sacrifices and blessings of mothers and women.

"We love our motherland just as much as we love our mother, wife and sister. This society has been built on the blessings of mothers and wives. Therefore, we respect our motherland in the same way we respect our mothers," he said.

He said that women are often the first to face the challenges brought by economic, social and poli...