COLOMBO (Oct 17) – All female parliamentarians and parliamentary staff in Sri Lanka will wear pink on a selected day during the next parliamentary week to show solidarity with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, officials announced.
The decision was taken following a special awareness session on breast cancer prevention and screening held in Parliament for the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, under the patronage of MP Samanmali Gunasingha, who is temporarily chairing the caucus in the absence of Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj.
Members also agreed to request a formal debate in Parliament to promote national awareness and preventive measures against breast cancer.
Medical professionals from the National Cancer Control Programme briefed the caucus on the current situation, noting that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. In Sri Lanka alone, around 15 new cases are diagnosed and three deaths occur each day.
Doctors stressed that early detection through regular screening and breast self-examinations (BSE) is crucial for effective treatment and survival.
The session also highlighted new initiatives at the school level. Under the “Pink Wednesday” campaign — first launched at Musaeus College, Colombo — students wear pink ties on the first Wednesday of every month to promote awareness. Members of Parliament agreed that such efforts should be expanded nationwide to encourage early detection and remove stigma around cancer testing.
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