Sri Lanka, Feb. 7 -- The Women Parliamentarians' Caucus has formally requested the Speaker, Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, to amend the Standing Orders of Parliament to prevent the verbal harassment and insulting of female members within the chamber.

This request, submitted on 5 February, was signed by the Chairperson of the Caucus and Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, along with other members.

The Caucus noted that despite symbolic programmes like "Orange Day," substantive change is lacking as a recent trend of targeted verbal abuse against women MPs has emerged.

They emphasised that such conduct challenges not only the individuals involved but also the sovereignty of the people and the right of women to particip...