Shyama Basnayake, who claims to have proposed the theme “Gehenu Api” (We, Women), has expressed strong opposition to its continued use by the National People’s Power (NPP) for promotional activities.
Basnayake raised her objection in a Facebook post, citing a poster publicising the International Women’s Day celebration scheduled to be held on 8 March under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
She stated that the NPP is currently using the phrase “Gehenu Api Eka Mitata” (We, Women Together) solely as a tool for campaign purposes, prompting her to voice her protest.
Basnayake further noted that when she initially proposed “Gehenu Api” as a theme, the words “Eka Mitata” (together)) were later added by Gihan de Silva, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. She also claimed that at the outset, a member of the faction aligned with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya had suggested rejecting the theme.
As a result, Basnayake said she withdrew from Amarasuriya’s group as well as from the women’s committee. She emphasised that the decision to reuse the phrase “Gehenu Api” was taken only after her departure.
According to Basnayake, “Gehenu Api” is not merely a two-word slogan, but a political concept reflecting women’s collective identity, shared experiences and socio-economic realities.
However, she alleged that the NPP has now reduced the theme to a mere promotional tagline, and said her objection is therefore a political stance.
The International Women’s Day celebration is scheduled to be held on 8 March at the P.D. Sirisena Grounds in Colombo, under the patronage of the President and with the participation of Prime Minister Amarasuriya.
